PSL 2026: Aaron Hardie's all-round brilliance helps Peshawar beat Hyderabad to lift trophy

Peshawar Zalmi were crowned the champions of Pakistan Super League (PSL 2026), beating Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets in the final on Sunday, May 3 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. After being asked to bat first, Hyderabad were skittled for just 129 in 18 overs as Aaron Hardie scalped a four-wicket haul.

Despite losing Maaz Sadaqat (11 off 6) in the second over, Hyderabad were going well, with captain Marnus Labuschagne (20 off 12) and Saim Ayub (54 off 50) at the crease. They were well placed on 71/2 in 6.2 overs and looked on course to reach a huge score.

However, a dramatic collapse saw them lose 5 wickets for 19 runs in a space of 21 balls and were reduced to 90/7 after 9.5 overs. A gutsy half-century from Ayub helped his team cross the 120-run mark. In reply, Peshawar were also in early trouble, as Mohammad Ali's (3/38) opening burst sent panic in their dressing room and left them reeling at 40/4 in 4.5 overs.

However, a massive 85-run stand off 60 balls for the fourth wicket between Abdul Samad (48 off 34) and Aaron Hardie brought Peshawar to the cusp of victory. They eventually got over the line in 15.2 overs, clinching their second PSL title.

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

Aaron Hardie was deservedly adjudged Player of the Match for his mind-boggling all-round performance. He first scalped a four-wicket haul, registering figures of 4/27 in four overs. He later rescued Peshawar from a precarious position in the run chase, stitching a match-winning partnership with Abdul Samad. As a result, Hardie became the first player to take a four-wicket haul and score a half-century in a PSL final.

Turning Point

Hyderabad looked well on course to post a huge score, being at 71/2 in 6.2 overs, with a well-set Saim Ayub and Usman Khan at the crease. However, a flurry of wickets and two run-outs saw them collapse to 90/7 in 9.5 overs, which became a huge turning point of the match. 

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi):

This is quite an achievement for me, and I think for Peshawar Zalmi and all the fans too. I think throughout the tournament, as a team, we performed very well in all three departments, and we tried to enjoy cricket. Every player executed the plan given to them in all three departments: batting, bowling, and fielding. Our plan was to take it match by match, and we would go into the final and by the grace of god we won tonight. (on the planning) Look, the management always, whenever we had match-to-match discussions, we tried to extract good things and bad things from them and talk about them. And I think the management played a very good role in talking to each player individually, even during the match. So we are trying to take it match by match, absolutely. We win a match, we try to get ready for the next match as quickly as possible because we also played back-to-back matches, we played four matches in six days. But in that, our goal was to give our best. (on his form) Yes, absolutely. I had tried to get my previous form back. Unfortunately, I couldn't perform that way, but in this PSL, I tried to give my best, and it happened.

Losing Captain, Marnus Labuschagne (Hyderabad Kingsmen):

A few things didn't go our way. As a batting group, we probably left a few runs out there. We showed once again that belief in the side and what we can do putting sides under pressure, having them 4 for 40, but just not enough runs on the board tonight. (on the season) I think tonight hurts, obviously, but reflecting on what an amazing season and what a tournament we've put together, coming from four losses down to winning four in a row, getting bowled out for 80, then winning by a hundred, and then winning two games to get into the final, defending six. We've made so many great memories. I'm just so proud of the team, and it's been an awesome effort. (enjoyed captaincy?) Yeah, I really did. Was really excited about the opportunity and challenge myself in a different environment. I've just really enjoyed getting to know the players, the owners, the support staff, and just doing it collectively and as a team, I think, it's really exciting to see what this team has built in such a short period of time, and hopefully there's some really amazing things to come.