Shaheen Afridi’s PSL Final Record Broken By Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi Mate

Shaheen Afridi’s PSL Final Record Broken [Source: AFP, X]

During the ultimate PSL 2026 final between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Peshawar Zalmi, Shaheen Afridi’s record for the best figures in a PSL final was broken by Babar Azam’s Zalmi teammate.

Zalmi had won the toss and opted to bowl first. The decision turned out to be spot on as Kingsmen collapsed to 73/6 inside the first 10 overs before Saim Ayub came to the rescue.

Aaron Hardie beats Shaheen Afridi

The Hyderabad Kingsmen lost wickets right from the get-go. They lost Irfan Khan, Glenn Maxwell and Usman Khan in a span of just 6 balls. A controversial run-out also added to the drama.

For Peshawar Zalmi, Aaron Hardie stole the show completely on the night of the PSL 2026 final. He picked up 4 wickets for 27 runs in his 4-over quota. This spell is now the second-best bowling figure in PSL final history.

The record is still held by Imad Wasim, who finished with 5/23 in the PSL 2024 final. Meanwhile, Hardie edged past Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Afridi, who picked up 4 wickets for 51 runs in the PSL 2023 final against Multan Sultans.

Best Bowling Figures in PSL Final:

• 5/23 – Imad Wasim (Islamabad United) vs Multan Sultans, Karachi, 2024
• 4/27 – Aaron Hardie (Peshawar Zalmi) vs Karachi Kings, Lahore, 2026
• 4/51 – Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) vs Multan Sultans, Lahore, 2023

Apart from Aaron Hardie, Nahid Rana contributed 2 wickets, while Mohammad Basit and Sufiyan Muqeem picked a wicket each to put Peshawar Zalmi on top.

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Saim Ayub rescues Hyderabad Kingsmen

Meanwhile, to save Hyderabad Kingsmen from brutal embarrassment, Saim Ayub led the charge, scoring 54 off 50 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes. His knock pushed the Kingsmen to a respectable total of 126 runs.

However, that total won’t be enough either. Kingsmen’s middle order departed on single-digit scores as only Marnus Labuschagne managed to touch the 20-run mark after Saim Ayub.

The pitch was not that difficult to bat on, and Hyderabad Kingsmen will need a miraculous effort from their bowling unit to somehow save this title-winning contest.

Babar Azam departs for a golden duck in the PSL 2026 final

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi’s chase is not off to a good start either. They have lost skipper Babar Azam on a golden duck. Bowling full and wide outside off, shaping away just enough, Mohammad Ali lured Babar into the drive. 

The star batter went hard at it without moving his feet, only to find the outside edge. The ball flew quickly to Usman Khan at sweeper cover, who completed a sharp catch to his right. 

Earlier in the same over, opener Mohammad Haris was also dismissed on 6 off 3 balls as Peshawar Zalmi lost 2 wickets with just 8 runs on the board after the first over of the high-stakes chase.

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