Babar Azam led Peshawar Zalmi to a historic title win on Sunday, sealing his first trophy as captain in the Pakistan Super League and ending the franchise’s nine-year wait for glory. Babar breaks captaincy drought with Zalmi triumph Babar, who began his PSL captaincy stint in 2022 with Karachi Kings, finally lifted the title as Zalmi clinched their second championship. The franchise last won in 2017 under Darren Sammy. Read More: Historic Century Puts Babar Azam at Top of PSL Records The victory placed Babar among an elite group of PSL-winning captains, becoming the ninth overall and only the second in Zalmi’s history. Shaheen Shah Afridi leads the list with three titles, while names like Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed also feature. Zalmi secured the title with a five-wicket win over Hyderabad Kingsmen in a high-stakes final at Gaddafi Stadium. Babar Azam had a great run this #HBLPSL11 as he is named best batter of the tournament 🏏#NewEra pic.twitter.com/FX4aVmMl2n— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 3, 2026 Babar’s decision to field first proved decisive. Zalmi bowled out Kingsmen for 129 in 18 overs despite a fighting half-century from Saim Ayub, who scored 54 off 50 balls with five fours and two sixes. Hardie and Samad seal memorable chase Chasing 130, Zalmi stumbled early and slipped to 40 for 4. However, an 85-run partnership between Aaron Hardie and Abdul Samad turned the game. Samad scored 48 off 34 deliveries before his dismissal, while Hardie remained unbeaten on 56 off 39 balls, hitting nine boundaries. Zalmi reached the target with 28 balls to spare, completing a dominant finish. Read More: PSL 11 Final Prize Breakdown: How Much Cash Is at Stake? The win capped a remarkable season for Babar, who also dominated the batting charts. He collected 588 runs in 11 innings at an average of 73.50 and claimed the Hanif Mohammad Cap. His tally equaled Fakhar Zaman’s record for most runs in a single PSL edition. Muqeem shines as Zalmi dominate awards Zalmi’s success reflected in the individual awards as Sufiyan Muqeem emerged as the Player of the Tournament. The left-arm spinner took 22 wickets in 11 innings at an average of 14.40, earning the Fazal Mehmood Cap. “My individual performance was good, and so was the team’s,” Muqeem said. “I have worked very hard on my bowling. It was written in the stars for me to be named the best bowler, and I’m very happy with it. Individual awards are very important for a player.” Babar also secured the Best Batter of the Tournament award, underlining his dominance throughout the campaign. Read More: IPL Built for Entertainment Not Development, Muttiah Muralithan Other honors went to Shadab Khan, who won Best All-Rounder after scoring 173 runs and taking 17 wickets, and Kusal Mendis, named Best Wicketkeeper. Hunain Shah claimed Emerging Player of the Tournament, while Farhan Yousaf won Best Fielder. Zalmi’s title win and sweep of major awards highlighted their dominance in PSL 11, marking a defining moment in the franchise’s history.
PSL 11 Final Prize Breakdown: How Much Cash Is at Stake?
The stage is set for a high-stakes finale in the Pakistan Super League as Peshawar Zalmi take on debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday. For Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, the final marks a return after four years. The former champions secured their spot with a commanding 70-run win over Islamabad United in the Qualifier. The captain has delivered consistent performances this season and now eyes a decisive innings in the title clash. Read More: IPL Built for Entertainment Not Development, Muttiah Muralithan Zalmi’s campaign has combined strong batting with disciplined bowling. Their earlier meeting with Kingsmen ended in a last-ball thriller, where Zalmi edged a four-wicket win. That result adds another layer of intrigue to the final. Kingsmen script fairytale debut run Hyderabad Kingsmen have emerged as the surprise package of the season. The debut franchise finished fourth in the league stage but lifted their game in the knockouts. They first eliminated Multan Sultans and then stunned a three-time champion side in Eliminator 2. Those back-to-back wins secured them a place in the final in their very first season. Their rise reflects a balanced squad and fearless approach under pressure. The team has relied on key contributions from both local and overseas players, showing depth in crucial moments. Read More: Historic Century Puts Babar Azam at Top of PSL Records A title win would mark one of the most remarkable debut seasons in PSL history. It would also reshape the competitive landscape of the league. PCB introduces new prize structure Off the field, the Pakistan Cricket Board has introduced a major financial shift. For the first time, franchises will receive separate prize money. The winning franchise will earn USD 500,000, while the runners-up will take home USD 300,000. The PCB has also allocated USD 200,000 for the team with the best player development programme. Players from the title-winning side will share an additional USD 500,000 pool. This brings the total prize pool for the final to USD 1.5 million. “In a first for the HBL PSL, a separate reward has been set for franchises. The winning franchise will receive USD 500,000, runners-up USD 300,000, while the best player development franchise will get USD 200,000. The tournament-winning prize for players will comprise USD 500,000,” the PCB said in a statement. Read More: Players Risk Red Cards for Covering Mouths at FIFA World Cup PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had announced the initiative last November as part of efforts to strengthen the league’s growth. The financial incentives add fresh significance to the final. Teams now compete not only for the trophy but also for long-term franchise rewards. With form, momentum, and history on the line, the PSL 11 final promises a gripping contest. Zalmi seek to end their title drought, while Kingsmen aim to complete a dream debut season.
