LAHORE: Skipper Babar Azam finally lifted his first major trophy as captain, guiding Peshawar Zalmi to a dominant victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final.

Chasing a modest target of 130, Zalmi completed the job comfortably in 15.3 overs, powered by an unbeaten half-century from Aaron Hardie. The triumph ended Zalmi’s nine-year wait for a title since their maiden success in 2017 and marked a significant milestone in Babar Azam’s captaincy career.

Zalmi’s run chase, however, began on a disastrous note. Mohammad Haris (6) and Babar Azam (0) were both dismissed in the opening over by Mohammad Ali, leaving the side under early pressure.

Hardie then anchored the innings, briefly supported by Kusal Mendis (9), but further setbacks saw Zalmi reduced to 40/4 after Michael Bracewell fell cheaply.

With the match hanging in the balance, Hardie stitched together a match-winning 85-run partnership with Abdul Samad. Samad played an aggressive knock of 48 off 34 balls, smashing four sixes before departing in the 15th over.

Hardie remained composed till the end, finishing unbeaten on 56 off 39 deliveries, laced with nine boundaries, as Zalmi sealed a memorable victory.

For Kingsmen, Mohammad Ali stood out with figures of 3/38, while Hunain Shah and Akif Javed chipped in with a wicket each.

Earlier, Zalmi’s bowling unit laid the foundation for the win with a clinical display. Fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Aaron Hardie dismantled the Kingsmen batting line-up at Gaddafi Stadium.

After being put in to bat, Hyderabad Kingsmen collapsed from 71/3 to 129 all out in just 18 overs. Maaz Sadaqat was dismissed early, while skipper Marnus Labuschagne and Saim Ayub attempted to stabilise the innings with a quick 35-run stand.

Hardie broke the partnership by removing Labuschagne for 20, and the innings soon unraveled. Kingsmen lost Usman Khan and Irfan Khan in quick succession, before Nahid Rana dismissed Glenn Maxwell for a duck, reducing them to 73/6.

Saim Ayub fought valiantly with a steady 54 off 50 balls but found little support from the other end.

Hardie starred with the ball as well, finishing with impressive figures of 4/27, while Nahid Rana claimed two wickets. Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit picked up one wicket each to complete a dominant all-round performance by Zalmi.