Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United — Peshawar Zalmi won by 70 runs

Peshawar Zalmi dismantled Islamabad United by 70 runs in Karachi on Tuesday, all but locking up top spot in the Pakistan Super League 2026 standings with just three matches of the regular season remaining. It was the 41st match of 44.

Peshawar Zalmi won by 70 runs. Babar Azam's 103 off 59 laid the platform as Zalmi posted a commanding 221/7 from their 20 overs after Islamabad United chose to bowl first. The chase never got off the ground – United dismissed for 151 in 18.4 overs, losing by a margin that further inflates Peshawar's already dominant net run rate of +2.324. Islamabad remain second, but the gap to Peshawar at the top is now a yawning 4 points.

First Innings: Babar Carries Peshawar to 221

Islamabad United won the toss and put Peshawar in – a decision they would live to regret. Mohammad Haris launched proceedings with 35 off 16 (219 strike rate), blasting 5 fours and 2 sixes before departing at 72/1 in the 7th over.

That brought Babar to the crease. The Pakistan captain was measured early and brutal late – he and Kusal Mendis put on a 84-run partnership that formed the backbone of the innings. Mendis contributed 41 off 26 before being caught at 156/3 in the 15th over. Babar kept the tempo high, reaching his century before being dismissed caught at 200/4 off over 18.2 – one of those rare hundreds that simultaneously anchors and accelerates.

The final push came from Aaron Hardie, who smashed 20 off 10 balls (including a six) before falling LBW to Shadab at 214/6 in the 20th over. Khurram Shahzad hit the last ball for four to drag the total to 221/7.

For Islamabad, Shadab Khan was the pick – 3/42 off 4 overs, though his economy of 10.50 with 6 wides tells the story of a bowling attack under pressure. Richard Gleeson took 2/45 but conceded at 11.25. Faheem Ashraf and Salman Mirza each chipped in with a wicket but leaked at 12 and 11.67 an over respectively.

Second Innings: Hardie Dismantles the Chase

Islamabad needed 222 to win – a tough but not impossible ask on a National Stadium pitch that had offered plenty of runs. Devon Conway (20 off 14) and Sameer Minhas gave the chase a bright opening – they raced to 58/1 by over 4.6, with Conway dismissed first. Minhas then took the game on, hammering 44 off 23 at a strike rate of 191, and Islamabad looked briefly dangerous at 81/2.

Then came the collapse. Hardie struck to end the Minhas threat and the wickets tumbled in clusters. Shadab (6 off 7) fell at 98/3, Mohsin Riaz (25 off 20) at 100/4, Haider Ali (8 off 5) at 109/5, and Mark Chapman (4 off 9) at 111/6 – four wickets for 13 runs across the middle overs that shredded any realistic hope of a chase. From 81/2 and in the game, Islamabad slid to 113/7 inside 14 overs. The tail offered resistance – Imad Wasim made 22 off 15 – but it was cosmetic. United were all out for 151 in 18.4 overs.

Hardie finished with 3/24 off 4 overs at an economy of 6.00. Sufiyan Muqeem supported superbly with 2/25 (econ 6.25) and Mohammad Basit dismissed two for just 19 runs off 3.4 overs – a miserly 5.18 economy in a match that saw plenty of boundary hitting.

Statz MVP: Aaron Hardie (MI Rating: 141/100)

Statz rates Aaron Hardie as the match-winner here – MI rating of 141 out of 100, a score that reflects the dual contribution Statz' model calculates impact based on match context. With the bat, Hardie's 20 off 10 balls at SR 200 came at a critical juncture as Peshawar sought to extend their total. With the ball, his 3/24 off 4 overs at economy 6.00 was clinical, taking the key wicket of Minhas and breaking the back of the chase.

This is a direct disagreement with the official Man of the Match award, which went to Babar Azam. Babar's century is undeniably the headline performance – 103 off 59 at SR 175 with 12 fours and 4 sixes is exactly the kind of innings that wins individual awards. But Statz' model sees Hardie's two-way contribution as more impactful to the match outcome across both innings. On 217 Dream11 points, Babar remains the top fantasy pick – but for match-defining impact, the data says Hardie.

Top 5 Statz Ratings

Ranked by Dream11 points from the full scorecard:

1. Babar Azam (PZ) – 217 Dream11 pts | 103 off 59, 12 fours, 4 sixes. A masterclass innings that set the platform for everything that followed.
2. Aaron Hardie (PZ) – 140 Dream11 pts | MI Rating: 141/100. The genuine match-winner – 20 off 10 with the bat, 3/24 with the ball at economy 6.00.
3. Shadab Khan (IU) – 102 Dream11 pts | 3/42 bowling plus 6 off 7 batting. The one United player who threatened with the ball, albeit in a losing cause.
4. Mohammad Haris (PZ) – 101 Dream11 pts | 35 off 16 (SR 219). An explosive opening burst that set the tone for Peshawar's big total.
5. Sameer Minhas (IU) – 100 Dream11 pts | 44 off 23 (SR 191). The bright spot of the United chase – his dismissal was the moment the game turned.

Turning Point

The dismissal of Sameer Minhas in over 8.1, with Islamabad United on 81/2 chasing 222, was where the match was decided. At that point, United had momentum, Minhas was striking at 191, and the required rate was still in range. His departure – one of Hardie's three victims – opened the floodgates. What followed was a four-wicket collapse for 32 runs in under three overs, leaving United at 113/7 and the match effectively over.

Match Context

This was the 41st match of 44 in the PSL 2026 regular season – the business end, where every result shapes the playoff picture.

Peshawar Zalmi sit 1st in the PSL 2026 standings with 17 points from 10 matches (W8 L1), a net run rate of +2.324 that is far and away the best in the competition. This win over their closest rivals extends their lead and puts them in a dominant position with three matches remaining. A playoff berth is effectively confirmed; top spot is theirs to lose.

Islamabad United remain 2nd with 13 points (W6 L3) but this defeat leaves them looking over their shoulder. Third-placed Lahore Qalandars are on 12 points. With the four playoff spots still being contested, United's margin for error is shrinking.

Full scorecard, player ratings and Dream11 points available on the Statz scorecard page.