A batting masterclass from Kusal Mendis and Babar Azam powered Peshawar Zalmi to a historic 159-run win over Karachi Kings in Karachi, the biggest victory margin in PSL history.
After being asked to bat, Zalmi recovered quickly from an early wicket and produced a breathtaking batting display. Mendis led the charge with a scintillating 109 off just 52 balls, bringing up the fastest century by a Zalmi batter in PSL history. At the other end, Babar remained the perfect foil, crafting an unbeaten 87 with his trademark elegance.
The duo stitched together a record-breaking 191-run partnership, the highest in PSL history, dismantling the Kings’ bowling attack with a blend of classical strokeplay and calculated aggression. Their dominance ensured Zalmi cruised past the 200 mark with ease.
Late fireworks from Abdul Samad, who smashed 40 off just 12 balls, propelled Zalmi to a massive 246 for 3 — their highest total in the tournament.
In response, Karachi Kings crumbled under pressure. Early strikes reduced them to 8 for 3, and they never recovered from the collapse. The Zalmi bowlers maintained relentless pressure, sharing the wickets as the hosts were bundled out for just 87 in 16.1 overs — the lowest total recorded in Karachi in PSL history.
Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, and Sufyan Muqeem picked up three wickets each in a clinical bowling effort.
For Karachi, it was a night to forget, marked by poor fielding, questionable decisions, and a complete batting collapse. For Zalmi, however, it was a statement performance, underlining their title credentials with both bat and ball in a dominant all-round display.
