Zalmi Hold Nerve in Final Over to Down Kingsmen
KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi held their nerve in a tense finish to secure a four-wicket win over Hyderabad Kingsmen, marking their second victory of PSL 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing a modest 146, Zalmi got over the line in the final over despite losing wickets at regular intervals late in the innings. Captain Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis laid the groundwork with a steady partnership after an early setback.
The innings started aggressively but Mohammad Haris fell early for 11, leaving Zalmi at 17-1. Babar and Mendis then brought stability, rotating strike well and building a 49-run stand to ease the pressure.
Mendis departed for 27, dismissed by Saim Ayub, but Babar continued to anchor the chase. He found support from Michael Bracewell as the pair pushed Zalmi beyond the 100-run mark with a useful partnership.
Bracewell contributed 25 before becoming Ayub’s second victim, while Babar’s composed knock of 43 ended in the 15th over. His dismissal triggered a mini-collapse as Zalmi slipped to 125-6, putting the chase in jeopardy.
With 14 needed in the last over, Iftikhar Ahmed showed composure under pressure, finishing unbeaten on 15, while Aamer Jamal provided support to guide Zalmi home.
Earlier, Hyderabad Kingsmen struggled to build momentum and were bowled out for 145 in 18.2 overs despite a fighting half-century from Kusal Perera.
The Kingsmen began positively, but their top order collapsed quickly. Iftikhar Ahmed struck early blows, removing Maaz Sadaqat before picking up key wickets of Saim Ayub and Usman Khan in quick succession, reducing the side to 33-3.
Sharjeel Khan also fell cheaply as Iftikhar continued to dominate with the ball.
A recovery effort came through a 50-run stand between Marnus Labuschagne and Kusal Perera, which helped Hyderabad rebuild. Labuschagne made 27 before being dismissed by Sufiyan Muqeem.
Perera stood out with a well-constructed 58, holding the innings together, but once he fell in the death overs, the Kingsmen innings unraveled quickly. Muqeem ran through the lower order, picking up multiple wickets in his final over.
Hyderabad’s tail offered little resistance as they were eventually dismissed below the 150 mark.
For Zalmi, Iftikhar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem were the standout performers with the ball, both claiming four wickets each, while Aamer Jamal chipped in with one.
