This past Sunday (May 3) saw Peshawar Zalmi claim their second PSL title, ending a nine-year wait and bringing the 11th season of the country’s premier domestic cricket franchise to a close at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The win also marked star batter Babar Azam’s first major trophy as captain, with former players praising his leadership as vital to the Zalmi’s title-winning run. This run saw Babar put together 588 runs across the whole tournament, equalling Fakhar Zaman’s record for most runs in a PSL season, displaying the kind of form that he has struggled to show for the national team. However, Babar was not the star on Sunday night, being dismissed for a duck. That honour goes to Aaron Hardie and Abdul Samad, who rescued the innings after a shaky start with an 85-run partnership. Hardie also tore through the Hyderabad batters, claiming four wickets for just 27 runs. Chasing down a modest target of just 130 runs, the partnership was enough to seal the deal for Peshawar Zalmi, giving them their second PSL title. And while the Hyderabad Kingsmen came out second-best on the night and did not put up a great performance, they have a lot to be proud of. For a team in its debut season to reach the PSL final is a tremendous achievement, especially after losing the first three matches of their campaign. A new team reaching the finals also showcases the depth of the PSL in its 11th year.
In 2026, the league once again had to find a way to continue amid a crisis. Last year, it was the war with India. This time around, it was the fuel crisis driven by the Middle East conflict. Despite austerity measures to cope with surging fuel prices, spectators were allowed into all three playoff matches and the finals. This is an exception that most should be able to sympathise with. Pakistan is not exactly brimming with entertainment options and people need something to cheer amidst all the worries engulfing the country and the region. As such, the PSL has become somewhat of an example of Pakistan’s famed resilience. That said, it is hard not to notice the contrasting fortunes of this franchise league and the national team, with some sports analysts accusing players of being distracted.
Similar gripes are made against the IPL when the Indian team is not doing well and franchise cricket in almost all countries. However, a link between franchise cricket and national performance has not yet been clearly proven. However, there has to be a way to channel the League’s success into the national cricket scene. While the PSL has already served as a launchpad for several top players in the national team, they have struggled against the world’s best in recent years. This ought to change going forward.
