Pakistan former Test captain Babar Azam is set for a golden opportunity to win his maiden Pakistan Super League title as a captain, with Peshawar Zalmi reaching the final for the first time under his leadership.
Babar, who joined Zalmi in 2022 after leaving Karachi Kings, previously featured in the inaugural PSL season in 2016 with Islamabad United under captain Misbah-ul-Haq, where he played only two matches and was not part of the squad that lifted the title against Quetta Gladiators.
From 2017 to 2021, Babar represented Karachi Kings, who won their first PSL title in 2020 under captain Imad Wasim by defeating Lahore Qalandars at the National Stadium in Karachi.
In that championship-winning season, Babar was the standout performer, scoring 554 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 132.53.
In the current PSL season, Babar continues his strong form, amassing 588 runs in 10 matches at an impressive strike rate of 146.26, making him one of the key players heading into the final.
KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi secured a comprehensive 70-run victory over Islamabad United in the Qualifier of the Pakistan Super League Season 11, booking their place in the final.
Batting first after Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan won the toss and opted to field, Zalmi posted a strong total of 221 for 7 in 20 overs.
Babar Azam led the charge with a brilliant 103 off 59 balls, marking his 13th T20 century and fourth PSL century. Mohammad Haris contributed 35 runs, while Kusal Mendis scored 41 and Aaron Hardie added 20 runs.
For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan took 3 wickets, while Richard Gleeson claimed 2 wickets.
In reply, Islamabad United were bowled out for 151 runs, falling well short of the target. Sameer Munir top-scored with 44 runs.
Zalmi’s bowlers dominated, with Aaron Hardie taking 3 wickets, while Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit picking up 2 wickets each.
With this win, Peshawar Zalmi have qualified for the PSL 11 final for the fifth time, becoming the most frequent finalists in the tournament’s history.
Despite the loss, Islamabad United are not eliminated and will get another chance to qualify for the final through the next stage of the competition.
LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) will feature Pashto commentary for the first time, marking a significant step toward inclusivity and regional engagement.
The initiative has been introduced in collaboration with Peshawar Zalmi, with Pashto commentary set to be streamed on a digital platform during the team’s remaining matches in the tournament.
Peshawar Zalmi will face Islamabad United in the Qualifier. A win will secure their place in the final, while a defeat will send them into the Eliminator.
The grand final of PSL 11 is scheduled to take place on May 3 at Gaddafi Stadium
LAHORE: After 26 matches in Pakistan Super League Season 11, the points table presents a highly competitive picture with the race for playoffs entering a next phase.
Unbeaten Peshawar Zalmi have become the first team to qualify for the playoffs, securing 13 points from seven matches.
At the bottom, Rawalpindiz have been eliminated from playoff contention after losing all six of their matches.
Six teams remain in contention for the remaining three playoff spots. Islamabad United sit second on the table with nine points from seven matches, while Multan Sultans are third with eight points from six games, making both sides strong contenders.
Quetta Gladiators, Hyderabad Kingsmen, and Karachi Kings occupy the fourth, fifth, and sixth positions respectively, each with six points.
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars are placed seventh with just four points from six matches and face an uphill task, needing to win their remaining four games to stay in contention.
After suffering three consecutive defeats, Lahore Qalandars are set to face Rawalpindi in a crucial encounter today.
The playoff stage of the tournament is scheduled to begin on April 28, with the remaining 14 league matches expected to further intensify the competition.
Karachi — Peshawar Zalmi registered a comfortable eight-wicket win against Quetta Gladiators in Match 11 of the Pakistan Super League, securing their sixth victory of the tournament.
After winning the toss, Zalmi opted to field first, inviting Quetta to bat. The Gladiators struggled to build momentum and were bowled out for 154 runs in 20 overs. Hassan Nawaz top-scored with 37, while Rilee Rossouw contributed 26. Khawaja Nafay added 20, and captain Saud Shakeel chipped in with 16 runs.
For Zalmi, Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit were the standout bowlers, claiming three wickets each to restrict Quetta to a modest total.
In response, Zalmi chased down the 155-run target with ease, reaching it with nine balls to spare. Captain Babar Azam led from the front with an unbeaten 71. Mohammad Haris scored 35, while Kusal Mendis and Aaron Hardie added 21 and 18 runs respectively.
With this victory, Peshawar Zalmi remain unbeaten in the tournament, sitting at the top of the points table with 13 points from seven matches, including one no-result due to rain. Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators languish in fifth place, managing just two wins so far in the competition.
KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi secured a comfortable 24-run victory over Multan Sultans in Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11, registering their fifth win of the tournament.
After being put in to bat, Peshawar Zalmi posted an impressive 196 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Kusal Mendis led the charge with a brilliant 68, while Mohammad Haris contributed a quickfire 38. Babar Azam scored 18, Saim Ayub added 30, and Michael Bracewell chipped in with 14 runs.
For Multan Sultans, Mohammad Ismail and Peter Siddle took two wickets each.
Chasing 197, Multan Sultans were restricted to 172 for 8 in their 20 overs. Shan Masood top-scored with 35, while Josh Philippe made 32.
Zalmi’s bowling attack was led by Sufiyan Muqeem, who picked up three wickets, while Iftikhar Ahmed and Nahid Rana claimed two wickets each.
With this win, Peshawar Zalmi moved to the top of the points table with 11 points from six matches, including one no-result, while Multan Sultans remain second with 8 points.
KARACHI: In an exciting contest of HBL PSL 11, Peshawar Zalmi defeated Hyderabad Kingsmen by 4 wickets at the National Bank Stadium.
After winning the toss, Peshawar Zalmi opted to field first. Hyderabad Kingsmen posted 145 runs, with Kusal Perera scoring 58 and Marnus Labuschagne contributing 27. Peshawar’s Sufiyan Muqeem and Fakhar Ahmed picked up four wickets each.
Chasing 146, Peshawar Zalmi reached the target on the last ball, losing six wickets. Babar Azam top-scored with 46 runs, while Kusal Mendis and Michael Bracewell added 27 and 25 runs respectively. Hyderabad’s Saim Ayub took two wickets for 19 runs.
Before the toss, PSL CEO Salman Naseer released a symbolic peace dove, with Babar Azam, Marnus Labuschagne, and match referee Roshan Mahnama present, recognizing Pakistan’s role in the recent US-Iran ceasefire efforts.
KARACHI: In the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Peshawar Zalmi has decided to retain captain Babar Azam for the upcoming season, sources confirmed.
According to insiders, the franchise has chosen to release Saim Ayub, who, along with Babar Azam, was listed in Peshawar Zalmi’s Platinum category. PSL rules allow franchises to retain only one player per category, making this a strategic decision.
Sources added that Saim Ayub will now be available for selection by other franchises in the PSL players’ draft.
Franchises are expected to finalize their retention decisions today, determining which players will remain with their teams for PSL 11.
Ahead of the 11th season of the PSL 11, franchises have announced their player retentions as the league introduces a major change in the player selection process.
For the first time in PSL history, the traditional draft system has been replaced with an auction-based model. Under this system, franchises can now retain only one player per category instead of eight, while remaining players will be added to their squads through the auction.
Retentions by Franchises:
Lahore Qalandars – The defending champions have retained captain Shaheen Afridi in the Platinum category. They released Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman from Platinum. In other categories, Abdullah Shafiq (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), and Mohammad Naeem (Silver) were retained, while several players including Salman Mirza, Zaman Khan, Jahandad Khan, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Mohammad Ikhlaq, and Mohammad Azab were released.
Karachi Kings – The franchise retained fast bowler Hasan Ali in Platinum, Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), and Saad Baig (Emerging).
Islamabad United – Shadab Khan remains in Platinum, Salman Irshad in Gold, and Andres Goos in Silver. The team released players including Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Haider Ali, Roman Rais, Mohammad Faiq, and Haneen Shah across various categories.
Quetta Gladiators – The franchise retained Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hassan Nawaz (Gold), and Hussain (Emerging). Players released include Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Khurram Shehzad, Hasibullah Khan, Khawaja Nafees, Danish Aziz, and Mohammad Zeeshan.
The retentions mark the first step in the PSL 11 preparations, with the new auction-based player draft set to determine final team squads for the season.
LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators have become the third franchise—after Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi—to renew their partnership with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for an additional 10 years.
The PSL officially confirmed the extension, stating that the new agreement with Quetta Gladiators has been finalized under an updated valuation conducted by international firm EY MENA.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his satisfaction over the renewed partnership, praising franchise owner Nadeem Omar for his longstanding contributions to the league. He highlighted that Omar’s continued trust reflects the PSL’s growing credibility.
PSL CEO Salman Naseer also welcomed the extension, noting that the partnership with Quetta Gladiators will become even stronger. He commended the franchise’s passion and commitment, adding that Nadeem Omar’s support goes “beyond expectations,” and that Quetta Gladiators remain one of the PSL’s most solid franchises due to their popularity and performance.
