Peshawar Zalmi secure record-breaking 159-run victory over Kings
By Nawaz Gohar ; Peshawar Zalmi delivered a performance for the ages at the National Bank Stadium, crushing rivals Karachi Kings by a record-breaking 159 runs in Match 17 of HBL PSL 11.
Powered by a historic century from Kusal Mendis and a world-record milestone from Babar Azam, the Zalmi posted a mammoth 246/3 before skittling Karachi for just 87.
The evening belonged to the duo of Kusal Mendis and Babar Azam. Mendis became the first Sri Lankan to score an HBL PSL century, blasting 109 off 52 balls (14 fours, 4 sixes). Alongside his captain, Mendis shared a monumental 191-run second-wicket partnership—the highest for any wicket in the league’s history—surpassing the 176-run record set by Babar and Sharjeel Khan in 2021.
During the innings, Babar Azam (87 off 51)* etched his name into global cricket history by becoming the fastest player to reach 12,000 T20 runs. Reaching the milestone in his 338th innings,
he eclipsed Chris Gayle’s long-standing record of 345 innings. The onslaught was completed by a sensational cameo from Abdul Samad, who struck 40 off just 12 balls* (SR 333.33) to propel Peshawar to 246/3—the highest total ever recorded at the National Bank Stadium.
Karachi Kings’ chase was derailed before it could begin. Iftikhar Ahmed (3-9) set the tone by striking on the third ball of the innings. He was perfectly supported by Shoriful Islam, who removed David Warner for a duck in the second over. At 8/3, the Kings’ pursuit was effectively over.
While Azam Khan offered brief resistance with a 27-ball 25, the Zalmi youth brigade took over. Nahid Rana (3-7) was lethal with his pace, while left-arm spinner Sufyan Moqim (3-18) bamboozled the middle order. The final six wickets fell for a meager 22 runs, with Karachi eventually bundled out for 87 in 16.1 overs.
The result elevates Peshawar Zalmi to second in the standings with a formidable net run-rate of +2.87, while the Kings slide to fourth place.
Scores in Brief
Peshawar Zalmi: 246-3 (20 overs) (Kusal Mendis 109, Babar Azam 87*, Abdul Samad 40*; Abbas Afridi 2-55) beat Karachi Kings: 87 all out (16.1 overs) (Azam Khan 25, Saad Baig 14; Nahid Rana 3-7, Iftikhar Ahmed 3-9, Sufyan Moqim 3-18) by 159 runs.
Player of the Match: Kusal Mendis (Peshawar Zalmi)
