Out of nowhere, Peshawar Zalmi lifted the 2026 Pakistan Super League trophy after beating Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets in the final. Led by Babar Azam, they barely stumbled all season – just one loss in the group phase set the tone. Their momentum carried straight into the championship game. While fans celebrated, organizers dropped the official ‘Team of the Tournament’ list. Trouble stirred when David Warner spoke up – he had captained Karachi Kings, yet not a single member from his squad made the cut. His surprise echoed across post-match discussions.
Out of nowhere, Warner questioned the whereabouts of Karachi’s team members. Sixth place was where the Karachi Kings landed when PSL rankings were finalized.
Victory tasted sweet when Babar lifted the trophy after beating Hyderabad, yet his words turned quickly to the group around him. Teammates earned praise not through flashy moments but steady work throughout the match. Support from behind the scenes mattered just as much, so he made space to acknowledge those off the field too.
“This is quite an achievement for me, and I think for Peshawar Zalmi and all the fans as well. Throughout the tournament, as a team, we performed very well in all three departments and tried to enjoy our cricket. Every player executed the plans given to them in batting, bowling and fielding. Our aim was to take it match by match, and by the grace of God, we won tonight,” Babar said during the post-match presentation.
“From a planning perspective, the management always supported us. During our match-to-match discussions, we focused on identifying both the positives and the areas to improve, and we spoke about them openly,” he added.
