Babar Azam was dismissed for a golden duck in the PSL 2026 final between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen, failing to break the record for most runs in a single season of the tournament by just one run.
Babar Azam falls for golden duck in final after stellar campaign
Coming into the tournament on the back of indifferent form and a forgettable 2026 T20 World Cup, Babar Azam revived his fortunes and upgraded his game in PSL 2026.
The Peshawar captain smashed three fifties and two centuries in 10 games in the leadup to the final, amassing 588 runs at an average of 84, equalling Fakhar Zaman's record for most runs in a PSL season which the southpaw had achieved in 2022 playing for Lahore Qalandars.
In the final against Hyderabad Kingsmen, Babar needed a solitary run to overtake Fakhar and break the PSL record. Unfortunately, he fell for a golden duck, nicking off against Mohammad Ali in the first over of the run-chase.
With this dismissal, Babar's magical campaign came to an end at 588 runs, an average of 73.5, a strike rate of 146, 60 fours, and 15 sixes. This is the third time the former Pakistan skipper has scored more than 550 runs in a PSL edition, having also done so in 2021 and 2024.
Babar also became only the second batter to make two centuries in a PSL season after Usman Khan had become the first to achieve the feat in 2024. Babar's strike rate of 146 is also his personal best in a PSL season, a direct consequence of his expanded and improved game against spin.
Most runs in a PSL edition
| Player | Team | Season | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100 | 50 |
| Fakhar Zaman | Lahore Qalandars | 2022 | 13 | 588 | 106 | 45.23 | 152.72 | 1 | 7 |
| Babar Azam | Peshawar Zalmi | 2026 | 11 | 588 | 103 | 73.5 | 145.90 | 2 | 3 |
| Babar Azam | Peshawar Zalmi | 2024 | 11 | 569 | 111* | 56.9 | 142.60 | 1 | 5 |
| Babar Azam | Karachi Kings | 2021 | 11 | 554 | 90* | 69.25 | 132.53 | 0 | 7 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Multan Sultans | 2023 | 12 | 550 | 110* | 55 | 142.85 | 1 | 4 |
| Kusal Mendis | Peshawar Zalmi | 2026 | 11 | 550 | 109 | 55 | 168.19 | 1 | 4 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Multan Sultans | 2022 | 12 | 546 | 83* | 68.25 | 126.68 | 0 | 7 |
| Babar Azam | Peshawar Zalmi | 2023 | 11 | 522 | 115 | 52.2 | 145.4 | 1 | 5 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Multan Sultans | 2021 | 12 | 500 | 82* | 45.45 | 127.87 | 0 | 4 |
Earlier in the final, Peshawar Zalmi restricted Hyderabad Kingsmen to a modest 129, with all-rounder Aaron Hardie being the wrecker-in-chief, picking up 4-27 in his four overs. Bangladesh quick Nahid Rana was also effective, bowling a maiden and finishing with figures of 2-22 in his four overs.
Saim Ayub was the only Hyderabad batter to show some resistance, as he made 54 off 50 balls. Mohammad Ali gave Peshawar a scare in the first over of the chase by dismissing both Mohammad Haris and Babar, but Hardie counterattacked to take Peshawar to 53-4 in six overs at the time of writing.
Final, Peshawar Zalmi vs Hyderabad Kingsmen
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