PES vs HYK, PSL 2026 Final: Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi have deservedly clinched the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 and have been crowned champions for the first time since 2017. While their run to the win in the final against the Hyderabad Kingsmen was far from smooth sailing, Aaron Hardie stood up with a gritty half-century to ensure Zalmi doesn’t bottle the run-chase of 130 as he scored an unbeaten 56 following his outstanding figures of 4-0-27-4.
PES vs HYK, PSL 2026: Who are the top five run-getters of Pakistan Super League 2026?
Babar Azam emerged as the top-run-getter of PSL 2026. The right-handed batter had the opportunity to set a new record for most runs in a single PSL edition but Mohammad Ali dismissed him for a golden duck in the tournament-decider. He is now tied with Fakhar Zaman for most runs with 588.
| Player | Team | Runs |
| Babar Azam | Peshawar Zalmi | 588 |
| Kusal Mendis | Peshawar Zalmi | 550 |
| Fakhar Zaman | Lahore Qalandars | 401 |
| Usman Khan | Hyderabad Kingsmen | 389 |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Multan Sultans | 380 |
PES vs HYK, PSL 2026: Who are the top five wicket-takers of Pakistan Super League 2026?
| Player | Team | Wickets |
| Sufyan Moqim | Peshawar Zalmi | 22 |
| Mohammad Ali | Hyderabad Kingsmen | 20 |
| Shadab Khan | Islamabad United | 17 |
| Hunain Shah | Hyderabad Kingsmen | 17 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Lahore Qalandars | 16 |
With Zalmi winning an important toss in the final, they sent the Kingsmen into bat at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Although the Kingsmen lost Maaz Sadaqat (11) and Marnus Labuschagne (20) in the powerplay itself, the Kingsmen still finished with a score of 69/2 in the powerplay. Nevertheless, the fall of Usman Khan brought a monumental batting collapse, headlined by the run-out of Irfan Khan (1) and Kusal Perera, followed by Glenn Maxwell (0) departing for a golden duck.
Only Hassan Khan made it to double-figures after No.3, with Saim Ayub being the only Kingsmen batter to score a half-century as their innings lasted only 18 overs. Aaron Hardie emerged as the pick of the bowlers for Zalmi with figures of 4-0-27-4, while Nahid Rana took two wickets. Mohammad Basit and Sufyan Moqim snared one apiece. With a modest 130 in Zalmi’s sights, Mohammad Haris begun the chase with a sumptuous boundary but fell two balls later and Babar followed him to the pavilion for a golden duck in the same over.
Kusal Mendis (9) and Michael Bracewell (4) also failed to cross double-figures as Zalmi ran the risk of bottling the run-chase. However, Hardie and Abdul Samad showcased their stomach for a fight, shepherding the innings expertly as the former completed his fifty off 35 balls with a boundary. Although Samad perished for 48 in the 15th over, he had done the job and brought Zalmi with five runs adrift of victory. The very next over Farhan Yousaf collect a boundary to finish off the match and seal the trophy.
