Babar Azam's Century Leads Peshawar Zalmi to PSL 2026 Final

In a thrilling match, Babar Azam's century led Peshawar Zalmi to a decisive victory over Islamabad United in the PSL 2026 Qualifier. With a score of 103 runs, Babar not only secured his team's place in the final but also set a new record for the most T20 centuries by a captain. This article delves into Babar's remarkable performance and the implications for the upcoming championship match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 29, 2026, 23:02 IST

Peshawar Zalmi Triumphs Over Islamabad United

Peshawar Zalmi secured a spot in the PSL 2026 final by defeating Islamabad United, thanks to a stellar century from Babar Azam. Babar's remarkable innings of 103 runs off just 59 deliveries propelled Peshawar to a formidable total of 221/7. In response, Islamabad United struggled and was bowled out for 151, resulting in a significant 70-run defeat. This victory not only advances Peshawar to the championship match scheduled for May 3 but also marks a historic achievement for Babar.

Babar Azam Makes History

With this performance, Babar recorded his 11th T20 century as a captain, setting a new record for the most centuries in this format, surpassing Faf du Plessis, who previously held the record with eight. Virat Kohli follows with five centuries as captain. Additionally, Babar matched Abhishek Sharma and Kohli for the most T20 centuries in a single country, each having eight in their respective nations. This century was also Babar's fourth in PSL history, tying him with Usman Khan for the most in the league. With a total of 588 runs in PSL 2026, he has equaled Fakhar Zaman's record for the most runs in a single PSL season.

After the match, Babar expressed his feelings about his performance, stating, "I'm starting to feel like I'm getting back to my best. I'm trying to keep things simple, trust my skills, and play according to the situation—what the pitch demands, how to handle different bowlers, and when to attack. The hard work I put in before the PSL is helping now. Things weren't the same earlier, but they're starting to come back, and I want to keep this consistency going." He also mentioned the importance of a strong start, saying, "When you get a good start in the first six overs, it gives you a cushion to play your natural game and maintain the run rate. The way Haris plays and puts pressure on the opposition helps, and then I just try to play my role and carry that momentum forward."