Babar century leads Zalmi into first PSL final since 2021

Babar Azam scored a superb hundred as Peshawar Zalmi beat Islamabad United by 70 runs in the PSL Qualifier to reach their first final since 2021. Islamabad will now have to go through Eliminator 2 for another shot at the title clash.

Asked to bat, Zalmi made full use of conditions in Karachi and piled up 221 for 7, with Babar anchoring the innings from start to finish. His 59-ball 103 included 12 fours and four sixes, giving Islamabad little room to recover after an expensive start.

Mohammad Haris provided the early charge with a 16-ball 35 as he and Babar put on 72 in just 38 deliveries. Islamabad were under immediate pressure as Zalmi collected 68 in the Powerplay, their highest conceded in that phase this season.

Once Haris departed, Babar continued to dictate terms with Kusal Mendis. The pair stitched together an 84-run stand for the second wicket, keeping the scoring rate high. Mendis made 41 off 26 before falling in the 15th over, but by then Zalmi had built a strong platform.

Shadab Khan briefly dragged Islamabad back by removing Michael Bracewell and Abdul Samad in successive balls, but Zalmi did not slow down. Babar reached his hundred in the 18th over, taking him to 588 runs this season, matching the highest run-tally in a single PSL edition. Aaron Hardie added a late 20 off 10 balls to ensure the total crossed 220.

Islamabad responded positively through Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas, who added 58 inside five overs. But once Conway fell for 20 and Sameer followed for a 23-ball 44 in the ninth over, the innings unravelled quickly.

From 81 for 2, Islamabad slipped to 114 for 7 as Zalmi's bowlers tightened the screws. Hardie and Sufiyan Muqeem struck repeatedly through the middle overs, leaving the lower order with too much to do.

Imad Wasim made 22 lower down, but Islamabad were bowled out for 151 in 18.4 overs. Hardie returned figures of 3 for 24 while Sufiyan claimed 2 for 25.

Brief scores: Peshawar Zalmi 221/7 in 20 overs (Babar Azam 103; Shadab Khan 3-42) beat Islamabad United 151 in 18.4 overs (Sameer Minhas 44; Aaron Hardie 3-24) by 70 runs.