PSL 11: Peshawar Zalmi defeat Hyderabad Kingsmen by 4 wickets

Karachi (Web Desk): Peshawar Zalmi held their nerve to register a four-wicket win over Hyderabad Kingsmen in a tight, low-scoring contest of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Set 146 to win, Zalmi got home in the final over despite a late wobble that saw six wickets fall, with captain Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis anchoring the chase with composed knocks.

The pursuit started shakily when Mohammad Haris departed for a quick 11 off six balls, including a four and a six, after miscuing against Maheesh Theekshana, leaving Zalmi at 17-1. Babar and Mendis then rebuilt smartly, adding 49 runs to take the side past the 50 mark. The stand ended when Saim Ayub removed Mendis for 27 off 23 balls, with one four and two sixes.

Michael Bracewell partnered Babar to keep the chase on track, pushing the total beyond 100 with a steady 38-run stand before Saim struck again to dismiss Bracewell for 25 off 19 deliveries, including two fours and a six, reducing Zalmi to 104-3 in the 14th over.

Earlier, Hyderabad’s innings showed early promise but quickly lost momentum. After a 26-run opening stand, Iftikhar Ahmed removed Sadaqat for 17 off eight balls. He then delivered a decisive spell, dismissing Saim Ayub and Usman Khan in quick succession, leaving the batting side in trouble at 33-3, before also clean bowling Sharjeel Khan cheaply.

A recovery came through skipper Marnus Labuschagne and Kusal Perera, who combined for a vital 50-run partnership to lift the total past 100. Labuschagne made a steady 27 before falling to Sufiyan Muqeem.

Perera provided the main resistance with a fluent 58 off 35 balls, striking five fours and two sixes to bring up his third PSL fifty.

However, Muqeem turned the game late, removing Irfan Khan Niazi, Perera and Theekshana in his final over. Hunain Shah was run out without facing a ball, and Hassan Khan was the last man out, dismissed by Aamer Jamal for nine.

Iftikhar and Muqeem led the bowling effort brilliantly, sharing eight wickets between them. Iftikhar returned 4 for 21 in his four overs, while Muqeem picked up 4 for 32, with Jamal adding one scalp to cap a disciplined Zalmi performance.