Peshawar Zalmi booked their first HBL PSL final berth since 2019 with a commanding 70-run win over Islamabad United in the Qualifier at National Bank Stadium on Sunday.Skipper Babar Azam led from the front with a blistering 103 off 57 balls, while Aaron Hardie starred with both bat and ball — 70 off 37 and 3-24 — as Zalmi outclassed the three-time champions to march into Sunday’s final in Lahore.Babar unleashes death-overs masterclass
After being sent in, Zalmi posted a mammoth 221-7. Mohammad Haris set the tone with a rapid 35 off 16 in the powerplay before Babar and Kusal Mendis (41 off 26) built a solid platform.The standout was Babar’s late assault. He tore into Faheem Ashraf and Richard Gleeson, smashing 34 runs in two overs to reach his century with a straight six, celebrating with a leap and fist pump. The added aggression at the death has become a hallmark of Babar’s T20 game this season.Hardie breaks United’s back
Islamabad’s chase began brightly, with Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas racing to 50 in four overs. Minhas looked dangerous, blasting 44 off 22, before Hardie’s introduction changed everything. Hardie’s back-of-length pace proved unplayable. He had Minhas caught by Babar at mid-off, then joined forces with Sufiyan Muqeem to trigger a collapse. The pair took six wickets for 28 runs as United crumbled from 77-1.Shadab Khan, Mark Chapman, and Haider Ali all fell cheaply. Despite brief fight from Imad Wasim and Chris Green, United were bundled out for 151.With death bowling firing and Babar peaking at the right time, Zalmi head to Lahore as the team to beat in the final. Scores in brief:
Qualifier: Peshawar Zalmi beat Islamabad United by 70 runs
Peshawar Zalmi 221-7, 20 overs (Babar Azam 103, Aaron Hardie 70, Kusal Mendis 41)
Islamabad United 151 all out (Sameer Minhas 44; Aaron Hardie 3-24, Sufiyan Muqeem 3-22)
Player of the Match: Aaron Hardie (Peshawar Zalmi)