PESHAWAR ZALMI CLINCH FIRST PSL TITLE SINCE 2017

Ayub stretched the total beyond the 100-run mark with a knock of 54 off 50 balls before he fell in Hardie's last over as he top-edged a pull to mid-on before the fast bowler wrapped up the innings by having No. 11 batter Akif Javed caught behind.

- VIKAS MISHRA

Aron Hardie's brilliant all-round performance led Peshawar Zalmi to its first Pakistan Super League cricket title since 2017 with a five-wicket win over newcomer Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final on Sunday. Hardie grabbed 4-27 to bowl out Hyderabad for a below-par 129 all out in 18 overs, with Saim Ayub (54) scoring a fighting half-century. Hardie then hit a fluent 56 not out off 39 balls and anchored Peshawar to 130-5 in 15.2 overs in front of a packed crowd at Gaddafi Stadium.

"It's a very big achievement for me, for Peshawar Zalmi and all the fans," said Peshawar captain Babar Azam after winning his first PSL title as skipper. "Throughout the tournament, we've performed really well as a team ... every player executed the plans they were given in batting, bowling, and fielding. We planned to go match by match."