Babar Azam struck a brilliant century as Peshawar Zalmi defeated Islamabad United by 70 runs in the PSL Qualifier, booking their first showpiece appearance since 2021. Islamabad, after falling short, now face Eliminator 2 to keep their campaign alive for a shot at the final.
Key takeaways
- Peshawar Zalmi won the PSL Qualifier by 70 runs, with Babar Azam’s century leading the way.
- Zalmi posted 221/7 in 20 overs in Karachi, using the conditions to build a commanding total.
- Islamabad United were restricted to 151 all out in 18.4 overs despite a late effort from Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas.
- Babar finished with 103 off 59 balls, including 12 fours and four sixes.
- Shadab Khan made two early strikes but could not prevent Zalmi from maintaining pressure through the middle overs.
- Aaron Hardie took 3/24 and Sufiyan Muqeem contributed 2/25 to help bowl out Islamabad quickly.
Zalmi’s 221/7: Babar’s control and a strong start
Chasing was never an option once Zalmi put runs on the board. Sent in to bat, they made full use of the Karachi surface and accumulated 221 for 7, with Babar Azam carrying the innings from the first overs to the finishing stages. His 59-ball knock of 103 featured 12 boundaries and four maximums, giving Islamabad little opportunity to regroup after an expensive beginning.
Mohammad Haris set the early tone with a brisk 35 off 16 deliveries. Haris and Babar combined to add 72 in only 38 balls, lifting Zalmi from the outset and keeping the scoring pace firmly in their favour. The pressure intensified in the Powerplay as Zalmi racked up 68 runs, the highest total conceded by Islamabad in that phase during the season.
After Haris departed, Babar maintained the momentum alongside Kusal Mendis. Together, they constructed an 84-run partnership for the second wicket, sustaining a high rate through the middle overs. Mendis struck 41 off 26 before being dismissed in the 15th over, but by then Zalmi had already built a platform that would be difficult to chase down.
Shadab Khan briefly sparked a recovery by removing Michael Bracewell and Abdul Samad on consecutive balls, but Zalmi’s innings did not lose its rhythm. Babar reached his century in the 18th over, and the impact of his knock lifted his season tally to 588 runs—matching the top aggregate for a single PSL edition.
Aaron Hardie added the finishing touches with a rapid 20 off 10 balls, helping Zalmi push the total beyond the 220-mark and set a target that demanded both tempo and precision from Islamabad.
Islamabad’s chase falters: from 81/2 to 114/7
Islamabad began their reply with positive intent through Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas. The pair added 58 within five overs, keeping the chase alive and making the target look more reachable than the asking rate alone suggested.
However, the momentum slipped once Conway departed for 20, and the innings unravelled further when Sameer was dismissed for a 23-ball 44 in the ninth over. From 81 for 2, Islamabad slid to 114 for 7 as Zalmi’s bowlers tightened the contest and consistently forced the batters into difficult situations.
Hardie and Sufiyan Muqeem struck repeatedly during the middle overs, leaving the lower order with far too much to do. Imad Wasim contributed 22 from down the order, but Islamabad were ultimately dismissed for 151 in 18.4 overs.
In the bowling figures, Hardie returned 3 for 24 while Sufiyan finished with 2 for 25, ensuring Zalmi defended their total comfortably.
Brief scores
Peshawar Zalmi 221/7 (20 overs) — Babar Azam 103; Shadab Khan 3-42. Islamabad United 151 (18.4 overs) — Sameer Minhas 44; Aaron Hardie 3-24. Result: Peshawar Zalmi won by 70 runs.
