LAHORE: Skipper Babar Azam ended his wait for a first major title as Peshawar Zalmi crushed Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
Zalmi chased down a partly 130 in 15.3 overs, thanks to Hardie’s unbeaten half-century.
This ends a nine-year wait for Zalmi since their maiden triumph in 2017. The victory also marked the first major trophy as captain for star batter Babar Azam.
The innings got off to a disastrous start as Mohammad Haris (6) and skipper Babar Azam (0) fell in the opening over to Mohammad Ali, leaving Zalmi reeling.
Hardie then steadied the chase alongside Kusal Mendis (9) before further setbacks saw Zalmi slump to 40/4 after Michael Bracewell (4) was dismissed by Akif Javed.
With pressure mounting, Hardie combined with Abdul Samad in a decisive 85-run partnership that turned the match in Zalmi’s favour. Samad scored a brisk 48 off 34 deliveries, including four sixes, before falling in the 15th over.
Hardie, however, remained composed and guided the chase to completion with an unbeaten 56 off 39 balls, striking nine boundaries to seal a memorable victory in the Pakistan Super League final.
Mohammad Ali was the standout bowler for Hyderabad Kingsmen with figures of 3/38, while Hunain Shah and Akif Javed took one wicket each.
Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Aaron Hardie wreaked havoc with the ball to dismantle Hyderabad Kingsmen for a mere total in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
Asked to bat first, Hyderabad Kingsmen collapsed from 71-3 to 129 all out in 18 overs.
Maaz Sadaqat was caught for 11 in the second over off Mohammad Basit’s bowling. Following an early blow, skipper Marnus Labuschagne and Saim Ayub batted with responsibility.
The pair shared a 35-run stand off 20 balls, bringing the score to 51 in 4.4 overs.
Aaron Hardie provided Zalmi the much-needed breakthrough, removing Labuschagne, who made 20 off 12 with the aid of a six and three fours.
However, the momentum quickly shifted in the sixth over as Kingsmen lost Usman Khan and Irfan Khan in succession.
In the very next over, Nahid Rana got the prize scalp of Glenn Maxwell, caught at mid-wicket without scoring. Consequently, they slumped to 73-6.
Saim Ayub fought a lone battle with a patient 54 off 50 deliveries, but lacked support from the other end.
Hardie led the bowling attack with outstanding figures of 4/27, while Nahid Rana picked up two wickets. Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit claimed one each as Zalmi dominated proceedings.
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