Hardie’s heroics end nine-year drought for Peshawar Zalmi
By Nawaz Gohar ; Peshawar Zalmi etched their name into the history books on Sunday night, securing the PSL 11 title with a comprehensive victory over the Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Batting first, the Kingsmen were unable to find their rhythm. While opener Saim Ayub provided some stability with a determined 54 off 50 balls, the rest of the lineup struggled to handle the pressure. The innings unraveled quickly following a middle-order collapse, as the team plummeted from 51/1 to 73/6 in just three overs.
The catalyst for the Kingsmen’s downfall was all-rounder Aaron Hardie, whose lethal spell of 4/27 dismantled both the top and lower orders. Despite the efforts of skipper Marnus Labuschagne and Maaz Sadaqat to build momentum early on, the Kingsmen were ultimately bowled out for a meager 129 in 18 overs.
The chase began in disastrous fashion for Zalmi. With captain Babar Azam dismissed for a golden duck and Mohammad Haris falling shortly after, the side found themselves precariously placed at 7/2.
However, the game shifted dramatically thanks to a masterclass in composure from Aaron Hardie and Abdul Samad. Hardie, playing the role of the anchor, remained unbeaten on 56 off 39 balls, while Samad provided the necessary aggression, smashing four sixes during his quick-fire 48 off 34 deliveries.
The duo’s 85-run fifth-wicket partnership effectively neutralized the Kingsmen’s attack. Although Mohammad Ali managed to claim three wickets for the opposition, it was not enough to halt the Zalmi momentum.
Peshawar Zalmi cruised to victory with 28 balls to spare, securing their first PSL trophy since 2017. This resounding win marks the end of a nine-year title drought, cementing their place as the undisputed champions of PSL 11.
