In the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026, Peshawar Zalmi (PES) will face the Hyderabad Kingsmen (HYK) at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, May 3.
Babar Azam's Peshawar Zalmi has emerged as the strongest team in PSL 2026. In the round-robin stage, they won eight of their 10 matches and suffered only one defeat. One of their matches was washed out due to rain. They topped the points table and secured their spot in the final by defeating Islamabad United by 70 runs in the Qualifier held in Karachi.
Hyderabad Kingsmen have reached the final in their very first PSL season. They began with four consecutive defeats but staged a remarkable comeback, winning seven of their last eight matches. After finishing fourth on the points table following the league stage, they defeated Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1 and Islamabad United in Eliminator 2.
These two teams have already faced each other earlier this season at the National Stadium in Karachi. Peshawar won that match by four wickets, successfully chasing down a target of 146 runs on the very last ball.PES vs HYK: Head-to-Head T20I Record
| Matches Played | 1 |
|---|---|
| PES Won | 1 |
| HYK Won | 0 |
| Ties / No Result | - |
| Sole Encounter | April 8, 2026 |
PES vs HYK: Playing 11
Peshawar Zalmi
Mohammad Haris (WK), Babar Azam (C), Kusal Mendis (WK), Farhan Yousaf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Michael Bracewell, Aaron Hardie, Abdul Samad, Khurram Shahzad, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Basit.
Hyderabad Kingsmen
Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khan (WK), Kusal Perera, Glenn Maxwell, Hassan Khan, Irfan Khan, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed.
PES vs HYK: Key Player Stats
Peshawar Zalmi (PES)
- Babar Azam: The tournament's leading run-scorer, having amassed 588 runs in 10 matches (Average: 84, SR: 146.26). He has scored two centuries this season.
- Kusal Mendis: A key player in the top order, who recently scored 41 runs in the Qualifier.
- Aaron Hardie: An excellent all-rounder who delivered a stellar performance of 3/24 in the Qualifier victory against Islamabad United.
- Sufiyan Muqeem: A vital weapon in the spin bowling attack, who bowled with great discipline during the playoffs—exemplified by his figures of 2/25.
Hyderabad Kingsmen (HYK)
- Usman Khan: A magnificent centurion who also scored an unbeaten 61, helping guide the team to the final.
- Kusal Perera: The team's standout performer in the previous match against PES, scoring 58 runs off just 35 balls.
- Iftikhar Ahmed: Although he is currently part of the Zalmi squad, he was named "Player of the Match" in the recent fixture between PES and HYK; playing for Zalmi, he claimed 4 wickets for 21 runs and also contributed 15 runs with the bat.
- Mohammad Ali: Hyderabad's premier bowler, shouldering the primary responsibility for the team's bowling attack; however, his economy rate has been notably high during the playoffs.
PES vs HYK: Pitch Report
Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium has proven to be excellent for batsmen, as the pitches used here have yielded plenty of runs. In the last five matches played at this venue during PSL 2026, the average first-innings score has been approximately 188. The captain who wins the toss will likely opt to bowl first. Any target under 180 can be chased down with ease.
PES vs HYK: Probable Best Performers
Babar Azam
Babar Azam has led his team from the front. The former Pakistan captain is the leading run-scorer in this tournament; he has amassed a total of 588 runs across 10 innings at an average of 84 and a strike rate of 146.27. The Hyderabad Kingsmen will look to take his wicket as early as possible on Sunday.
Sufiyan Muqeem
Sufiyan Muqeem has been the standout bowler of PSL 2026. He sits at the top of the list of highest wicket-takers. In 10 matches, he has claimed 21 wickets at an average of 14 and an economy rate of 7.35. The Kingsmen will have to be wary of his four-over spell.
Also Read: The 5 Fastest Centuries for Mumbai Indians in the IPL
