Zalmi Clinch Title with Nahid’s Bowling

Peshawar Zalmi secured the Pakistan Super League (PSL) title after nine years, defeating Hyderabad Kings in the final held in Lahore. The victory was shaped by a disciplined bowling performance, notably from Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana, who justified his selection with an effective spell under pressure.

Nahid Rana finished with figures of 2 wickets for 22 runs from his four overs, helping restrict Hyderabad Kings to 129 all out. Zalmi later chased down the target with five wickets in hand and 29 balls remaining, completing a controlled run chase despite an early setback.

Hyderabad began aggressively, scoring 56 runs for the loss of two wickets within the first five overs. Nahid Rana was introduced into the attack in the sixth over. Although his opening over conceded 13 runs, the momentum shifted soon after. In the following over, bowled by Sufiyan Muqeem, Hyderabad lost two quick wickets—Usman Khan and Irfan Khan—within four deliveries, increasing the pressure.

Rana’s second over proved decisive. On the very first ball, he dismissed Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck, as the batter mistimed a pull shot to mid-on. Later in the same over, Kusal Perera was run out, reducing Hyderabad to 73 for 6. Rana conceded only five runs in that over.

He returned to bowl in the 14th over, by which time Hyderabad had already lost seven wickets. His pace and control restricted scoring completely in that over. On the fifth delivery, he bowled Hunain Shah to claim his second wicket, completing a maiden wicket over. Rana concluded his spell with another economical over in the 17th, conceding just four runs.

In addition to Rana’s contribution, Aaron Hardie played a significant all-round role. He took four wickets for 27 runs, ensuring Hyderabad could not post a competitive total.

During the chase, Peshawar Zalmi were briefly under pressure after losing four wickets for 40 runs. However, a crucial 85-run partnership between Aaron Hardie and Abdul Samad stabilised the innings. Samad scored 48 runs from 34 balls before being dismissed, while Hardie remained unbeaten on 56 off 39 deliveries to guide the team to victory.

The key match statistics are summarised below:

This result marks Peshawar Zalmi’s return to the top of the PSL after a nine-year interval, with contributions from both their bowling unit and middle-order partnership proving decisive in the final.