Australia all-rounder Aaron Hardie delivered a match-winning all-round performance as Peshawar Zalmi clinched their second Pakistan Super League trophy.
Peshawar Zalmi secured their second Pakistan Super League championship after a nine-year gap, defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final. The side dominated the group stage before crushing Islamabad United in the qualifier and then chasing a modest target in the final. Their victory ended a long title drought since their last triumph in 2017.
Aaron Hardie played a pivotal role with both bat and ball, taking four wickets for 27 runs to dismiss Hyderabad Kingsmen for 129. Later, he top-scored with an unbeaten 56 to guide Peshawar to victory with more than four overs remaining. His contributions ensured his team lifted the trophy after a lengthy wait.
Hyderabad Kingsmen struggled from the start after winning the toss and batting first in Lahore. Their innings stumbled from 71-2 in the powerplay to a total of 129 all out, losing four wickets for just three runs. Michael Bracewell accounted for two dismissals, while Hardie claimed his third victim of the innings to seal the outcome.
Saim Ayub offered the only significant resistance for Hyderabad with a steady half-century, scoring 54 from 50 deliveries. His innings pushed the team past the 100-run mark but came to an end when he was caught off Hardie's bowling. The middle order collapsed shortly afterward, leaving Hyderabad with an inadequate total to defend.
Peshawar Zalmi faced an early jolt when Mohammad Ali removed opener Mohammad Haris and captain Babar Azam for ducks in the first over. Further wickets fell as Kusal Mendis and Bracewell also returned to the dugout, leaving the side at 40-4. The match appeared evenly poised despite the modest target.
Hardie and Abdul Samad formed a crucial partnership, adding 85 runs for the fifth wicket to revive Peshawar's innings. Samad contributed a vital 48 from 34 balls, though he was dismissed five runs short of victory. Hardie's unbeaten 56 ultimately guided the team home comfortably.
Mohammad Ali bowled a strong spell, finishing with figures of 3-38 to restrict Hyderabad's total. He dismissed key batsmen including Samad in a tight finish, but his efforts were not enough to prevent Peshawar from winning. Farhan Yousuf sealed the match with a boundary to end the contest.