Iftikhar Ahmed Joins Exclusive Peshawar Zalmi List Under Babar Azam's Captaincy In PSL 2026

Iftikhar Ahmed picks 4/21 vs Hyderabad Kingsmen [Source: AFP]

Returning to the field after a long gap of 10 days in PSL 2026 to take on the Hyderabad Kingsmen, the Peshawar Zalmi started the Karachi leg of the tournament with a dominant display early in the game. Having put the Kingsmen in to bat, they were all over the opposition inside the first powerplay.

Starting with the off-spin of Michael Bracewell, the out-of-favour Pakistan all-rounder, Iftikhar Ahmed grabbed the headlines with an epic spell inside the first six overs, reducing the Kingsmen to 34/4, courtesy of two brilliant overs to enter the record books for the Zalmis under the leadership of Babar Azam.

Best bowling figures for Peshawar Zalmi: Iftikhar joins the exclusive list

With his outstanding control over the line and length, he bowled his full quota of four overs on the trot, starting from the third over. At 2.5, he got rid of the dangerous Maaz Sadaqat, who danced down the wicket to hit one across the line but could only reach Aamer Jamal at 17 off 8.

Also Read: Fakhar Zaman Takes Final Call On Retirement

What followed was a potentially match-winning fifth over from Iftikhar as he dismissed Saim Ayub at 14(15) at 4.2 with a length ball on the off stump. Ayub mis-hit one to Mohammad Haris, who ran forward and caught it with a dive. On the very next ball, Usman Khan tried to slog a quicker one with a sweep and only reached Sufiyan Muqeem at the square leg on the golden duck.

Iftikhar completed the over with a short-ish delivery which skidded onto Sharjeel Ahmed and he chopped it onto the wickets at 2 off 5. By the end of the spell, Iftikhar picked 4/21, only conceding two fours.

Best figures for Peshawar Zalmi

1. 5/7 - Shahid Afridi vs Quetta Gladiators, Sharjah, 2016

2. 5/27 - Arif Yaqoob vs Islamabad United, Lahore, 2024

3. 4/21 - Iftikhar Ahmed vs Hyderabad Kingsmen, Karachi, 2026*

When did Ifitkhar Ahmed last play for Pakistan?

The experienced all-rounder, who is predominantly known for his range-hitting in the middle-order, Iftikhar Ahmed, last represented the national team against India in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Following the string of disappointing performances from the whole team, he was dropped from the side mid-tournament as they crashed out of the group stage of the competition under Babar Azam. While Babar Azam lost his captaincy, Iftikhar was among the casualties, losing his spot in the team for good.

Also Read: Players With Most Sixes In T20 History Ft. Jos Buttler, Chris Gayle

In a 9-year-long international career, he played 4 Tests, 28 ODIs and 66 T20Is. In his 85 innings, he scored 1673 runs and picked 25 wickets in 52 innings. He scored five international fifties and a hundred for Pakistan.

Peshawar Zalmi start PSL 2026 strong

Before the squad shuffle, the Peshawar Zalmi, who won their last and solitary PSL in 2017, ended the 2025 season at number 5, with only 8 points in 10 games to their name. They won four and lost six and stood no chance of qualifying for the playoff by the time of their last match.

Leading a new squad, Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi got off to a swashbuckling start to PSL 2026, with a big 215-run successful chase against the newly added Rawalpindiz team in their opening fixture on March 28. Captain Babar scored 39(28), while Iftikhar Ahmed missed the match.

Their second match was washed out against the Islamabad United, and in the third match, they bowled out the struggling Hyderabad Kingsmen for just 145 runs in the first innings.

Follow Peshawar Zalmi vs Hyderabad Kingsmen Live Updates For Each And Every Detail of The High-Octane PSL 2026 Clash