LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam fell for a golden duck against Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
The right-hander was caught on the first ball he faced under lights at the Gaddafi Stadium, attempting a cut shot off a wider delivery from Mohammad Ali.
As a result, Peshawar Zalmi were reduced to 7-2 in the first over, marking an end to an impressive over for Ali.
Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Aaron Hardie wreaked havoc with the ball, dismantling Hyderabad Kingsmen for a mere total.
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Asked to bat first, Hyderabad Kingsmen collapsed from 71-3 to 129 all out in 18 overs.
Maaz Sadaqat was caught for 11 in the second over off Mohammad Basit’s bowling. Following an early blow, skipper Marnus Labuschagne and Saim Ayub batted with responsibility.
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The pair shared a 35-run stand off 20 balls, bringing the score to 51 in 4.4 overs.
Aaron Hardie provided Zalmi the much-needed breakthrough, removing Labuschagne, who made 20 off 12 with the aid of a six and three fours.
However, the momentum quickly shifted in the sixth over as Kingsmen lost Usman Khan and Irfan Khan in succession.
In the very next over, Nahid Rana got the prize scalp of Glenn Maxwell (0), caught at mid-wicket without scoring.
Saim Ayub remained the only solid batter, scoring an anchoring half-century. He made 54 off 50 deliveries, striking five fours and two sixes.
For Peshawar Zalmi, Aaron Hardie starred with the ball, taking four wickets in his quota of four overs.
Playing XIs
Hyderabad Kingsmen: Maaz Sadaqat, Marnus Labuschagne (capt), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Kusal Perera, Glenn Maxwell, Irfan Khan Niazi, Hassan Khan, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed
Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousuf, Michael Bracewell, Aaron Hardie, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Sufyan Moqim, Basit Ali, Nahid Rana
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