It has been a tremendous season for Peshawar Zalmi, from the opening game all the way to lifting the trophy in the final. There were hardly any real hiccups throughout their campaign, with players stepping up in different situations to rescue and win matches when it mattered the most.
While the entire squad deserves credit for this remarkable run, three figures stood out as the defining pillars behind Zalmi’s dominance this season.
Babar Azam – The Calm Commander Who Let the Bat Speak
It is often said that captaincy is the most crucial role on the big stage. Some leaders remain calm and composed, while others take a more aggressive, risk-driven approach. Whatever the approach, everyone’s eyeing on the big prize.
There are also times when captains are retained not just for their form, but for their tactical intelligence and decision-making under pressure. Before the season began, Peshawar Zalmi’s leadership under Pakistani batter Babar Azam was criticized as he was not capable of either at the time before the start of the season.
However, as the season unfolded, Babar answered every critic in the best possible way, through sheer consistency and dominance with the bat. From start to finish, he anchored innings, built crucial partnerships, and consistently guided Zalmi to commanding totals.
Along the way, he also shattered several records:
- Equal most runs in a season – 588 runs (matched with Fakhar Zaman for Lahore Qalandars in 2021/22)
- Only player to score 500+ runs in 3 PSL seasons (2022/23, 2023/24, 2026)
- Highest batting average among players with 450+ runs in a season (73.5)
- Second player to score 2 centuries in a single PSL season (equalled with Usman Khan in 2023/24)
- Third most fours in a single PSL season (60) (And if you’re wondering about the top two in that list, both belong to Babar himself in previous seasons (64 in 2022/23 and 63 in 2023/24))
Beyond the numbers, his captaincy this season was equally impactful. After Zalmi missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history last year, Babar turned the tables around completely, leading them to their second PSL title after a long nine-year wait. His consistency with the bat also earned him the Hanif Muhammad Cap given for the highest run scorer of the season.
Kusal Mendis – The Perfect Overseas Partner
If Babar was the anchor, Kusal Mendis was the explosive force that complemented him perfectly.
In his new stint with Peshawar Zalmi, the Sri Lankan batter brought consistency and aggression in equal measure. He formed a formidable partnership with Babar, consistently accelerating innings and putting pressure back on opposition bowlers. His impact was not limited to batting. His wicketkeeping skills were also top-class throughout the tournament, earning him the Best Wicket-Keeper of the Tournament award.
His season highlights include:
- 5th most runs in a single PSL season (550 runs)
- First overseas batter to cross 500+ runs in a PSL season
- Highest individual score of the 2026 season (109)
- Highest strike rate (min. 500 runs): 168.19
- 2nd overseas player with 5 fifty-plus scores in a season (equalled Luke Ronchi, 2017/18)
- 2nd most boundary runs in a single season (346 runs – 524, 236 )
Together with Babar Azam, he was also part of some record-breaking partnerships:
- Second highest partnership runs in a single PSL season (662 runs)
- Highest batting partnership ever (191 runs)
- Equal most century partnerships in a season (3)
Sufiyan Muqeem – The Bowling Breakthrough
While Zalmi’s batting carried them in many matches, their bowling unit ensured they stayed dominant throughout the season. The standout performer was young left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, who emerged as one of the defining bowlers of the tournament.
In just his third PSL season, he rose to elite levels, finishing as one of the leading wicket-takers and eventually claiming the Fazal Mahmood Cap and Player of the Tournament award.
His bowling figures speak for themselves:
- Equal 4th highest wickets in a PSL season (22 wickets)
- 3rd lowest bowling average (14.4) (Min. 20 wickets per season)
- 3rd lowest strike rate (12) (Min. 20 wickets per season)
- 3rd lowest economy rate (7.2) (Min. 20 wickets per season)
In a season where batters dominated and 200+ totals became frequent, maintaining such control and efficiency was exceptional. His performances also played a key role when Zalmi bowled out opposition teams for double-digit scores on two occasions.
The Championship Run
With the combined brilliance of these three players, Peshawar Zalmi produced one of the most dominant seasons in PSL history. Even in moments of pressure they consistently found ways to shift momentum back in their favour. Even in the final, when they found themselves on a brief spot of bother, they somehow managed to keep their momentum with them.
Beyond individual brilliance, the team also registered remarkable records:
- Highest win/loss ratio in a PSL season (10 W/L)
- Highest batting run rate in a season (10.03 RPO)
- Highest team batting average in a season (41.68)
- 3rd highest team total in PSL history (255/3)
- Biggest win margin in PSL history (159 runs)
- 4th biggest win margin in PSL history (118 runs)
Peshawar Zalmi’s dream run was not built on individual brilliance alone, it was a complete team effort. However, Babar Azam, Kusal Mendis, and Sufiyan Muqeem stood out as the three pillars who consistently shaped outcomes and carried the team through crucial moments.
Their performances formed the backbone of Zalmi’s championship-winning story, a season that will be remembered for dominance, records, and resilience.
Comments