LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam on Sunday added another feather to his cap as he joined the elusive list of captains by winning the Pakistan Super League (PSL) title.
Babur, who began his PSL captaincy career with Karachi Kings in 2022, finally won his first trophy as captain by leading Zalmi to their second title, ending a nine-year wait since West Indies legend Darren Sammy led them to glory in 2017.
As a result, Babar became the second Zalmi captain to achieve the feat and ninth overall, joining the likes of Sarfaraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq.
Captains with most PSL titles:
- Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) – 3
- Misbah ul Haq (Islamabad United) – 1
- Darren Sammy (Peshawar Zalmi) – 1
- JP Duminy (Islamabad United) – 1
- Sarbaraz Ahmed (Quetta Gladiators) – 1
- Imad Wasim (Karachi Kings) – 1
- Muhammad Rizwan (Sultans of Multan) – 1
- Shadab Khan (Islamabad United) – 1
- Babar Assam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 1
Notably, Zalmi beat the spirited Kingsmen by five wickets in a thrilling final at the Gaddafi Stadium here.
Zalmi skipper Babar’s decision to field first paid dividends as the tournament debutants were bowled out for 129 in 18 overs despite a brave half-century from Saim Ayub.
The left-handed batsman struggled on his own for the Kingsmen and scored a cautious 54 off 50 balls with 5 fours and two sixes.
In turn, Zalmi chased down the 130-run target with 5 wickets and 28 balls to spare, aided by an 85-run partnership between Aaron Hardy and Abdul Samad for the fifth wicket.
The duo rescued Zalmi from 40/4 and put them in touching distance with 48 off 34 balls until Samad was dismissed, while Hardy top-scored with 56 off 39 balls with 9 fours.