Saim Ayub’s impressive half-century was overshadowed by a dramatic middle-order collapse of the Hyderabad Kingsmen in the PSL final held on May 3, 2026, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. Despite his effort of scoring 54 runs off 50 balls, the team faltered and was bowled out for 129 runs in just 18 overs.
The Peshawar Zalmi capitalized on this collapse, successfully chasing down the target with a score of 130 runs for 5 wickets in 15.2 overs. This victory marked Peshawar Zalmi’s second PSL title, their first since 2017, and Babar Azam celebrated his first major title as captain. The match showcased a significant performance from Aaron Hardie, who took 4 wickets for 27 runs, playing a crucial role in dismantling the Hyderabad batting line-up.
Key statistics from the match:
- Saim Ayub scored 54 runs off 50 balls.
- Hyderabad Kingsmen were bowled out for a total of 129 runs.
- Peshawar Zalmi chased down the target with a score of 130 runs.
- Aaron Hardie took 4 wickets for just 27 runs.
- Peshawar Zalmi won by five wickets.
Marnus Labuschagne, reflecting on the match, stated, “Tonight hurts, but reflecting on what an amazing tournament we’ve put together.” He also mentioned that as a batting group they probably left a few runs out there. The defeat was particularly disappointing given that the Hyderabad Kingsmen had shown promise throughout the tournament.
As Peshawar Zalmi celebrated their victory at Gaddafi Stadium, Babar Azam expressed his delight by stating, “It’s a very big achievement for me, for Peshawar Zalmi and all the fans.” The atmosphere was electric as fans rejoiced over their team’s triumph while lamenting the missed opportunities for the Hyderabad Kingsmen.
