Peshawar Zalmi extended their remarkable run in PSL 2026, securing a seventh consecutive victory with a composed chase against Karachi Kings in Lahore. The target of 182 never looked out of reach, thanks to a brilliant unbeaten stand between Kusal Mendis and Farhan Yousaf, guiding the team home with seven wickets in hand and seven deliveries remaining.
Kusal continued his outstanding form, finishing on 80 from 43 deliveries, marking his fifth score above fifty in his last six outings. Alongside him, Farhan produced a confident innings of 58 from 36 balls, registering his first half century in the league during his debut season. The pair came together when Zalmi were under slight pressure at 67 for 3 and steadily rebuilt the innings with smart rotation and timely boundaries.
Their partnership of 119 shifted the momentum completely. While they kept the scoreboard ticking in the middle phase, the real acceleration arrived late in the innings. With the required rate climbing, Kusal launched a counterattack, striking back to back sixes off Abbas Afridi. Yousaf followed with aggressive strokes against Hasan Ali, collecting a six and a boundary as Zalmi gathered crucial runs in quick succession.
The finishing touches were applied in style. Both batters found the boundary again before Farhan sealed the contest in the second last over, smashing a towering six along with two fours to wrap up a dominant performance.
Earlier, Karachi Kings struggled to fully capitalise on favorable conditions despite a strong effort from Jason Roy, who scored 85 from 51 balls. He lacked consistent support from the middle order, although Azam Khan’s quick 35 added momentum briefly with a rapid partnership. However, the innings lost direction towards the end.
A dramatic final over saw young pacer Ali Raza make history by becoming the youngest Pakistani to claim a T20 hat trick at just 18 years and 35 days. Despite that late burst, Kings posted a total that ultimately proved insufficient against a confident Zalmi side in top form.
