Peshawar Zalmi secure PSL 2026 title as Babar Azam reaffirms commitment to all three cricket formats

Peshawar Zalmi have secured their second Pakistan Super League title by defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets in the 2026 final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The victory marks a significant milestone for the franchise, ending a nine-year wait since their previous triumph in 2017. Captain Babar Azam led the charge with a dominant campaign, finishing as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 588 runs across 11 matches.

Following the victory, Azam publicly addressed the ongoing speculation regarding his future in the shortest format of the game. In a statement delivered immediately after the match, he declared his intention to play all three formats—Test, ODI, and T20—stating, "Teenon me khelunga." This announcement effectively silenced debates concerning his relevance in T20 cricket, positioning him as a player who values the holistic development provided by red-ball experience.

Azam's statistical dominance throughout the season underpinned his philosophical stance on the sport. His campaign included two centuries and three fifties, with an average of 73.50 and a strike rate of 145.91. While his batting powered Zalmi's title charge, his post-match comments emphasised that it is not for a player to decide their own format focus. He argued that red-ball cricket builds the necessary patience and experience required to excel in shorter forms, asserting that every cricketer should participate in all disciplines to benefit from the unique skills each format demands.

The final match itself was defined by a sensational all-round performance from Australian player Aaron Hardie, who secured the win for Peshawar Zalmi. Hardie took four wickets for 27 runs in the bowling department, helping restrict the Hyderabad Kingsmen to 129. He then contributed 56 unbeaten runs off 39 balls to guide his team home in 15.2 overs, ensuring a comprehensive victory despite an early collapse to 40/4.

Hardie's efforts were bolstered by a crucial 85-run partnership with Abdul Samad, who scored 48 runs. This stand turned the game on its head against the Kingsmen, who had shown promise earlier in the contest. Hyderabad, led by captain Marnus Labuschagne, struggled to recover from a strong powerplay, losing wickets in clusters and failing to post a competitive total that could have challenged Zalmi's target.

The victory reinforces the competitive balance within the league while highlighting the individual brilliance of its key figures. As Zalmi celebrate their latest trophy, the focus remains on the strategic implications of Azam's commitment to a multi-format career, suggesting a future where his influence spans the entire spectrum of international cricket.