Record stand from Mendis, Babar helps Zalmi demolish Kings

By Alam Zeb Safi
KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi produced one of the most dominant performances of the HBL PSL 11 crushing Karachi Kings by 159 runs after piling up a formidable 246-3 at the National Stadium on Thursday.
A blistering century from Kusal Mendis and a commanding knock by captain Babar Azam laid the foundation for Zalmi’s huge total before their bowlers dismantled Kings for just 87 in 16.1 overs.
This is also the largest victory of the PSL history by runs. It means Zalmi also bettered their own record as the previous largest triumph was also from them when they had defeated Multan Sultans by 120 runs on April 19, 2025, in Rawalpindi.
The win helped Zalmi displace Islamabad United from second spot with seven points while the loss, their first one, pushed Kings a place down to the fourth with six points from four games as they had won their previous three shows on trot.
After losing Mohammad Haris for a duck in the opening over, Zalmi recovered emphatically through a stunning 191-run second-wicket partnership between Babar and Mendis.
Mendis was the chief aggressor, smashing 109 off 52 balls, laced with 14 fours and four sixes, registering one of the fastest centuries of the season. Babar complemented him with a fluent 87 not out off 51 balls, striking ten fours and two sixes, anchoring the innings with control and class. The duo dominated the middle overs, taking Zalmi past 100 in under ten overs and accelerating brutally thereafter. Their stand broke in the 17th over, but the damage had already been done.
A late flourish from Abdul Samad, who hammered 40 not out off just 12 balls with three fours and four sixes, propelled Zalmi to an imposing 246, their highest in their PSL history.
Overall, Zalmi’s innings featured a staggering 27 fours and 11 sixes, underlining their batting dominance.
Chasing a daunting 247, Kings crumbled almost immediately. David Warner and Muhammad Waseem both fell for ducks, leaving the side at 4-2 inside two overs.
Only Azam Khan showed brief resistance with 25 while Saad Baig contributed 14. No partnership exceeded 20 runs, highlighting the lack of stability in the chase.
Zalmi’s bowlers shared the spoils in a clinical display. Nahid Rana was exceptional, claiming 3-7 in four overs, while Sufiyan Muqeem also picked up three wickets. Iftikhar Ahmed chipped in with 3-9 to wrap up the tail.
Kings were bundled out for 87, finishing with just 13 fours and one six, as Zalmi completed a comprehensive victory.
On Friday (tomorrow) Quetta Gladiators will meet Rawalpindiz at the same venue at 7pm. Multan Sultans lead the chart with eight points from five games and they are followed by Zalmi with seven points from five appearances.
Then follow United and Kings.
Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindiz, the two new franchises, are yet to open their account after they lost their four matches each.

Summarised scores

Peshawar Zalmi 246-3 (20 overs)
Kusal Mendis 109 (52), Babar Azam 87* (51), Abdul Samad 40* (12), Abbas Afridi 2-55

Karachi Kings 87 all out (16.1 overs)
Azam Khan 25 (27), Saad Baig 14 (11), Nahid Rana 3-7, Sufiyan Muqeem 3-18, Iftikhar Ahmed 3-9

Result: Peshawar Zalmi won by 159 runs
Kusal Mendis: Player of the Match