Babar Azam [Source: AFP]Babar Azam failed to make the most of his newfound prolific run on the big day for the Peshawar Zalmi franchise. Leading his team in the final of the PSL 2026 season against the Hyderabad Kingsmen, the legendary top-order batter was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Mohammad Ali. Babar’s rare failure, on the day when it mattered the most, also ensured that the senior Pakistani batter fell agonizingly short in achieving a huge PSL record. Babar Azam falls for a golden duck in PSL 2026 final Following a dismal 2026 T20 World Cup campaign for the Pakistan team in Sri Lanka, Babar Azam stormed back into form with a proficient PSL 2026 run for the Peshawar Zalmi franchise. Plundering two hundreds and scoring the highest number of runs among all batters in the tournament up until the final, the cricketer failed to add to his 588-run tally by getting dismissed for a duck in the title clash. Also Read- Babar Azam Opens Up On Pakistan Captaincy Return Amid Stellar PSL RunOpening the innings with Mohammad Haris in a paltry chase of 130 on a seemingly-difficult Gaddafi Stadium surface, Babar got knocked over by Hyderabad Kingsmen fast bowler Mohammad Ali. Babar Azam misses Fakhar Zaman’s all-time PSL record With his rare dismissal, in the grand finale of PSL 2026 no less, Babar Azam concluded his tournament tally with 588 runs in 11 innings at a prolific average of 73.50. Listing two centuries, including a match-winning 103 against the Islamabad United in the season, the cricketer also maintained an explosive strike rate of 145.90. If Babar had scored at least a run in the final, he would have surpassed national teammate Fakhar Zaman for an all-time PSL record of scoring the highest number of runs in a single season. Back in PSL 2022 while playing for the Lahore Qalandars franchise, Fakhar also minted 588 runs in 13 innings, albeit at an average of 45.23 and a strike rate of 152.72. Babar’s average, however, might put him just slightly above Fakhar Zaman for the all-time PSL record despite scoring the same number of runs.Peshawar Zalmi in big trouble in PSL 2026 final Peshawar Zalmi reached the final of the PSL 2026 season on a trail of nine wins in 10 completed fixtures, fittingly topping the points table by accumulating 17 points in just 10 games. However, despite topping the eight-team standings, the Babar Azam-led side now find themselves in serious trouble in the final by losing early wickets and surrendering momentum. Chasing just 130 runs in Lahore in the PSL 2026 final, the Zalmi franchise lost both its openers, Mohammad Haris and Babar within the first over of the innings. Fellow in-form top-order batter Kusal Mendis also failed to lead his side to recovery by falling for just nine off eight balls at number three. Michael Bracewell lost his wicket to Akif Javed as the Peshawar Zalmi franchise slipped to 40-4 well inside the powerplay. Also Read- Watch- 145 KPH Goes Flying As Saim Ayub Scoops Majestic Six Vs Nahid Rana In PSL Final
