Zalmi Beat United by 70 Runs, Book Their Spot in PSL 2026 Final
Peshawar Zalmi are going to the final. Babar Azam’s 103 off 59 balls powered Zalmi to 221/7 and Islamabad United never came close in reply, bowled out for 151 in 18.4 overs. Zalmi won by 70 runs at National Stadium Karachi on 28th April to book their place in the PSL 2026 Final on 3rd May in Lahore.
Islamabad United are not out of it though. They head to Eliminator 2 on 1st May for one last shot at the final.
Full Scorecard: Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United, Qualifier
Peshawar Zalmi Innings: 221/7 (20 overs)
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Haris | c Chapman b Shadab | 35 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 218.75 |
| Babar Azam (c) | c Mohsin Riaz b Salman Mirza | 103 | 59 | 12 | 4 | 174.57 |
| Kusal Mendis | c Sameer Minhas b Faheem | 41 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 157.69 |
| Michael Bracewell | c Green b Shadab | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.66 |
| Abdul Samad | c Faheem b Shadab | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Aaron Hardie | lbw b Gleeson | 20 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 200.00 |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | not out | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Farhan Yousaf | c Faheem b Gleeson | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Khurram Shahzad | not out | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 400.00 |
| Extras | lb 5, nb 1, w 7 | 13 | ||||
| Total | 20 overs | 221/7 | RR: 11.05 |
Bowling: Shadab Khan 3/42, Gleeson 2/45, Faheem Ashraf 1/36, Salman Mirza 1/35
Islamabad United Innings: 151 all out (18.4 overs)
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devon Conway | c Abdul Samad b Bracewell | 20 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 142.85 |
| Sameer Minhas | c Babar b Hardie | 44 | 23 | 7 | 1 | 191.30 |
| Mohsin Riaz | c Abdul Samad b Sufiyan | 25 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 125.00 |
| Shadab Khan (c) | c Mohammad Basit b Hardie | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Mark Chapman | c Khurram b Sufiyan | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 44.44 |
| Haider Ali | c Sufiyan b Hardie | 8 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 160.00 |
| Faheem Ashraf | run out | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Chris Green | c Babar b Khurram | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 114.28 |
| Imad Wasim | c and b Mohammad Basit | 22 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 146.66 |
| Salman Mirza | c Haris b Mohammad Basit | 5 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 71.42 |
| Richard Gleeson | not out | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | w 7 | 7 | ||||
| Total | 18.4 overs | 151 | RR: 8.08 |
Bowling: Aaron Hardie 3/24, Mohammad Basit 2/19, Sufiyan Muqeem 2/25, Khurram Shahzad 1/38, Bracewell 1/20
Match Summary: How It Unfolded
Islamabad United won the toss and chose to field. It was a decision that looked reasonable at the start but turned disastrous quickly.
Zalmi’s batting was devastating from ball one. Mohammad Haris set the tone with 35 off just 16 deliveries at the top. But the real damage came from Babar Azam. His 103 off 59 balls including 12 fours and 4 sixes was a captain’s knock of the highest order. He and Mendis put on 84 runs for the second wicket before Mendis fell for 41. Aaron Hardie added a rapid 20 near the end to push Zalmi past 220.
221 in a Qualifier night match at Karachi was always going to be a mountain to climb.
United’s chase never found rhythm. Sameer Minhas gave them a glimmer with 44 off 23 at the top but the wickets fell in clusters after that. Shadab Khan went for just 6. Chapman scratched around for 4 off 9. Once United were 109/5 in the 12th over the game was effectively done.
Aaron Hardie was outstanding with the ball. 3 wickets for just 24 runs from 4 overs. Mohammad Basit was equally impressive, taking 2 for 19 from fewer than 4 overs. Sufiyan Muqeem chipped in with 2 more.
United were bowled out for 151 with more than an over to spare. Zalmi won by 70 runs.
Key Performances
- Babar Azam, 103 off 59 (12×4, 4×6, SR: 174.57). Tournament-defining knock. He finishes the group stage and Qualifier with 604 runs in PSL 2026. Absolutely unstoppable.
- Aaron Hardie, 3/24 from 4 overs. Disciplined, clever seam bowling in the chase. Strangled United’s middle order exactly when they needed runs.
- Sameer Minhas, 44 off 23. United’s only real bright spot with the bat. Would have felt a hollow half-century given the team’s collapse around him.
- Mohammad Haris, 35 off 16. His explosiveness at the top gave Zalmi the ideal platform for Babar to play his natural game.
What Happens Next
Zalmi now wait for the PSL 2026 Final on 3rd May at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore. They have four days of rest, preparation and team selection to get right.
Islamabad United face Eliminator 2 on 1st May in Lahore against the winner of tomorrow’s Multan Sultans vs Hyderabad Kingsmen clash. Lose that and the season is over. Win it and they still have a shot at the final.
Check the full PSL 2026 schedule for timings on all remaining matches.
| Match | Date | Venue | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eliminator 1 | 29th April | Lahore | Multan Sultans vs Hyderabad Kingsmen |
| Eliminator 2 | 1st May | Lahore | Islamabad United vs E1 Winner |
| Final | 3rd May | Lahore | Peshawar Zalmi vs E2 Winner |
The PSL 2026 points table now reflects Zalmi’s confirmed final spot. One team from the bottom half of the draw will join them on 3rd May.
FAQs
Who won the PSL 2026 Qualifier? Peshawar Zalmi beat Islamabad United by 70 runs at National Stadium Karachi on 28th April 2026.
What was Babar Azam’s score in the PSL 2026 Qualifier? Babar Azam scored 103 off 59 balls with 12 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 174.57.
What was Peshawar Zalmi’s total in the Qualifier? Zalmi posted 221/7 in their 20 overs at a run rate of 11.05.
Is Islamabad United out of PSL 2026? No. United survive through to Eliminator 2 on 1st May in Lahore where they face the winner of Eliminator 1.
When is the PSL 2026 Final? The PSL 2026 Final is on 3rd May 2026 at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore starting at 7:00 PM.
Who was the best bowler for Zalmi in the Qualifier? Aaron Hardie was the standout bowler with figures of 3/24 from 4 overs. Mohammad Basit took 2/19 and Sufiyan Muqeem took 2/25.
