Peshawar Zalmi won the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final on May 4, 2026, defeating the Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets [3].
The victory marks a significant milestone for captain Babar Azam, who secured his first T20 title as captain [1]. This win ends a long championship drought for the franchise, as it is the second PSL title for Peshawar Zalmi and their first since 2017 [2].
During the final, the Zalmi side overcame the Hyderabad Kingsmen to claim the trophy. Mohsin Naqvi presented the championship award to the team during the post-match ceremony. The result establishes Babar Azam as a winning captain in the T20 format, a credential that had previously eluded him despite his individual success as a batsman.
The match concluded with Peshawar Zalmi successfully chasing the target set by Hyderabad. The five-wicket margin [3] underscores a controlled performance by the Zalmi lineup in the high-pressure environment of the PSL final. The victory celebration was highlighted by the presentation of the trophy to Azam and his squad.
This championship return for Peshawar Zalmi follows a nine-year gap in their title history [2]. The team's ability to reclaim the trophy in the 11th edition of the league suggests a successful rebuilding phase under Azam's leadership. The win provides the team with a renewed sense of dominance in the domestic circuit.
“Babar Azam lifted his first T20 title as captain”
This victory validates Babar Azam's leadership capabilities in the shortest format of the game, removing a critical critique regarding his inability to lead a team to a major trophy. For Peshawar Zalmi, the win restores their status as a powerhouse in the PSL, ending a nearly decade-long wait for a championship since their 2017 success.
