Unbeaten Peshawar Zalmi outclass Karachi Kings by seven wickets

Peshawar Zalmi extended their strong run in the HBL PSL 2026, securing their eighth win in nine matches, with one being a wash out, after a convincing victory over Karachi Kings.

The Babar Azam-led outfit successfully chased down 183 in 18.5 overs with seven wickets in hand, powered by standout half-centuries from Kusal Mendis and Farhan Yousaf.

For the Kings, Hasan Ali struck the first blow, dismissing Vince for 16 off 10 balls, an innings featuring two fours and a six, and bringing an end to the 37-run opening partnership.

Zalmi then lost their second wicket inside the powerplay when Abbas Afridi removed Babar Azam, who scored 25 off 19 deliveries with four boundaries and a six, leaving the team at 45 for 2 after 5.2 overs.

Kusal Mendis held the innings together with a composed yet fluent knock, bringing up his fourth PSL fifty while maintaining a steady scoring rate.

Peshawar slipped further to 95 for 3 when Aaron Hardie was dismissed cheaply for five off six balls by Khushdil Shah.

Mendis then combined with Farhan Yousaf to rebuild the innings, the pair stitching together a vital 50-run partnership that put Zalmi in control.

Yousaf accelerated the scoring with a flurry of boundaries as Zalmi eased past the 150-run mark.

He ultimately finished the chase in style, hitting a boundary to secure victory and complete his maiden PSL half-century.

First innings

Batting first, Karachi Kings posted 182 driven by solid contributions from Jason Roy (85) and Azam Khan (35).

Openers David Warner and Roy gave their side a steady start before early breakthroughs from Ali Raza and Abbas Afridi halted momentum.

Roy anchored the innings with a fluent 85 off 51 balls, bringing up his ninth PSL fifty, while Azam Khan provided late impetus with a quickfire 35 from 19 deliveries.

Despite useful partnerships through the middle overs, Karachi lost wickets at regular intervals, preventing them from accelerating further.

In the closing stages, Ali Raza delivered a decisive final over. He complete a hat-trick removing Shahid Aziz and Hasan Ali to wrap up Karachi’s innings in dramatic fashion.