Peshawar Zalmi booked their place in the PSL 11 final after defeating Islamabad United by 70 runs in the Qualifier at the National Stadium in Karachi.
Batting first after being put in, Zalmi produced a commanding total of 221/7 in 20 overs, powered by a superb century from captain Babar Azam. He scored 103 runs from 59 balls, smashing 12 fours and four sixes to register his fourth hundred in Pakistan Super League history.
Zalmi made a strong start as Babar and Mohammad Haris added 72 runs for the opening wicket. Haris played an explosive knock of 35 from just 16 deliveries before being dismissed in the seventh over.
Babar then built another valuable partnership with Kusal Mendis, who contributed 41 runs from 26 balls and kept the scoring rate high. Islamabad United briefly fought back in the middle overs when Shadab Khan dismissed Michael Bracewell and Abdul Samad in the same over after Mendis’ departure.
Despite the breakthroughs, Babar remained in control and completed his century in the 18th over, helping Zalmi maintain momentum. Aaron Hardie added a quickfire 20 off 10 balls late in the innings to push the total beyond 220.
Chasing 222, Islamabad United began positively with Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas putting on 58 runs for the first wicket. Minhas top-scored with 44 from 23 balls, while Mohsin Riaz added 25.
However, the innings lost momentum after the opening stand. Zalmi bowlers struck regularly in the middle overs, with Aaron Hardie making key breakthroughs while Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit tightened pressure as wickets continued to fall.
Islamabad United were eventually bowled out for 151 in 18.4 overs. Hardie finished with impressive figures of 3/24, while Muqeem and Basit claimed two wickets each. Michael Bracewell and Khurram Shahzad also picked up one wicket apiece.
With the victory, Peshawar Zalmi advanced directly to the PSL 11 final. Islamabad United still remain in contention and will get another chance to qualify when they face the winner of Eliminator 1 in Lahore on May 1.
