Lahore, May 3, 2026: Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and elected to field first against tournament debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen in the high-voltage final of the 11th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League at Lahore on Sunday.
Led by Babar Azam, Zalmi entered the final in dominant fashion after thrashing three-time champions Islamabad United by 70 runs in the first playoff. The franchise is chasing its second PSL title, having previously lifted the trophy in 2017 after defeating Quetta Gladiators in the final.
Throughout PSL 11, Peshawar Zalmi maintained impressive consistency, securing eight wins while suffering only one defeat — against Quetta Gladiators — to finish at the top of the points table.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad Kingsmen booked their place in the final after a thrilling two-run victory over Islamabad United in Friday’s eliminator.
Captained by Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne, the Kingsmen endured a difficult start to the tournament, losing their first five matches before staging a remarkable comeback with five consecutive victories to qualify for the playoffs.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Saturday, Babar Azam said his team aimed to maintain the momentum that had carried them through the tournament.
“So far, our journey in this edition has been quite nice. Our strategy is paying off, so we will try to apply it in the final too,” he said.
The Zalmi skipper, who is also the leading run-scorer of PSL 11 with 588 runs, stressed the importance of sustaining momentum and avoiding complacency against the Kingsmen.
On the other hand, Marnus Labuschagne said Hyderabad Kingsmen would focus on sticking to their process in the pressure-filled final.
“For us, it is important to control the situation and make sure we stick to our process and plans, and the rest will take care of itself,” he told reporters.
Labuschagne acknowledged that Peshawar Zalmi had been the standout side of the tournament and described them as tough opponents.
“We obviously know they have been an in-form side throughout the tournament. We played one game against them and it was a very tight contest,” he said.
Reflecting on his team’s turnaround after a poor start, the Australian skipper credited belief and confidence as key factors behind Hyderabad’s resurgence.
“I think belief and confidence are two really big factors in any team. When you create that within a side, achievements follow,” he added.
