PSL 11 final puts focus back on Pakistan cricket

LAHORE: The HBL Pakistan Super League season 11 final at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday has brought renewed attention to Pakistan cricket, with Peshawar Zalmi and debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen set to meet in the title clash after two standout campaigns.

According to a report by Dawn, the tournament began in subdued circumstances, with the wider regional situation and the impact of the West Asia conflict affecting the atmosphere around the competition. Matches were initially played in front of sparse crowds, but the quality and competitiveness of the cricket gradually became the central attraction.

The league once again showed its reputation for close contests, with low-scoring thrillers, successful chases, notable batting displays, strong bowling performances and sharp fielding, particularly from emerging local players. The balance of the competition was also reflected in the standings, as four teams remained in contention for playoff places over the final three days of the league stage, while the last stage match determined the two sides that would contest the Qualifier.

Hyderabad Kingsmen’s debut run

Hyderabad Kingsmen, who entered the PSL this year as the seventh franchise after an auction earlier in the year, secured the fourth playoff berth on net run-rate at the expense of defending champions Lahore Qalandars.

Dawn reported that Hyderabad’s campaign included four successive defeats, followed by four straight wins, another loss and then a heavy victory over Rawalpindiz to seal a place in the playoffs. The side’s squad included Pakistan opener Saim Ayub, Australia’s Glenn Maxwell and captain Marnus Labuschagne, while Maaz Sadaqat, Usman Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi and Hassan Khan were also part of the batting unit.

Their bowling attack featured Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed and Hunain Shah, with spin support from Hassan and Saim. In the second Eliminator on Friday night, Hunain defended six runs in the final over against Islamabad United to send Hyderabad into the final and deny the three-time champions another chance at the title.

Dawn described Hunain, the brother of Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah, as one of the defining stories of the season.

Babar Azam and Zalmi’s strong campaign

Peshawar Zalmi reached the final after winning eight of their 10 matches and finishing at the top of the table. Their campaign was led by former Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who has scored 588 runs this season, including two centuries.

Babar’s first hundred came in a commanding win over Quetta Gladiators in Karachi and helped shift attention back towards the PSL at a time when cricket had been overshadowed by regional developments. Dawn said that innings also helped revive public interest in the tournament and contributed to calls on social media for fans to return to the stands after government austerity measures had left stadiums largely empty.

Babar’s second century came after Hyderabad had completed their turnaround to reach the playoffs. That innings helped Zalmi beat Islamabad United in the Qualifier in Karachi, where, Dawn reported, a full National Bank Stadium echoed with chants of "Babar! Babar!"

A day later, Hyderabad beat Multan Sultans in the playoffs with half-centuries from Usman and Maaz, along with a collective bowling effort, to set up the final against Zalmi.

Final seen as wider moment for the game

Dawn said the meeting of Zalmi and Hyderabad has brought together two of the tournament’s biggest narratives: a dominant campaign led by Babar and a surprise run by a new franchise. That, beyond the result, the final represents a significant moment for Pakistan cricket at a time when the national side has faced difficulties in recent years.

The article said the final would be celebrated not only as the conclusion of the league but also as a chance for Pakistan cricket to regain momentum and reconnect with supporters through the game’s enduring appeal.