Hassan Khan stars as Hyderabad edge Karachi; Mendis, Babar power Zalmi to record win

A thrilling weekend of Pakistan Super League action saw contrasting contests at the National Stadium in Karachi, where Hyderabad Kingsmen clinched a tense chase against Karachi Kings. At the same time, Peshawar Zalmi registered a historic demolition in a separate fixture.

In Saturday’s derby, Hyderabad Kingsmen held their nerve to secure a four-wicket victory over Karachi Kings, chasing down a challenging 189 with five balls to spare. The win was anchored by a late blitz from Hassan Khan, who smashed an unbeaten 33 off just 16 deliveries to seal the contest dramatically.

Hyderabad’s innings had wobbled in the middle overs, but Irfan Khan provided stability with a composed 29 not out, guiding the chase alongside Hassan in the closing stages. The pair’s calm finishing ensured Hyderabad crossed the line at 189 for 6 in 19.1 overs, marking their first win of the tournament.

Earlier, Karachi Kings posted a competitive 188 for 8, thanks largely to a fluent half-century from Saad Baig, who struck 53. Moeen Ali added impetus with a rapid 44 off 16 balls, while contributions from the top order kept the scoreboard ticking.

Despite the strong total, Karachi’s bowling unit struggled to contain Hyderabad’s late surge. Hunain Shah impressed with the ball, picking up three wickets for 19 runs, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Kingsmen from pulling off a memorable chase.

Just days earlier at the same venue, Peshawar Zalmi delivered one of the most dominant performances in PSL history, crushing Karachi Kings by a staggering 159 runs.

The foundation of Zalmi’s mammoth 246 for 3 was laid by a sensational partnership between Kusal Mendis and Babar Azam. Mendis dazzled with a blistering 109 off 52 balls, while Babar remained unbeaten on 87, as the duo stitched together a record 191-run stand — the highest partnership in PSL history.

Their onslaught was complemented by a late cameo from Abdul Samad, who hammered 40 off just 12 balls to push Zalmi to an imposing total.

Karachi’s response never gained momentum. Early strikes from Nahid Rana, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Iftikhar Ahmed dismantled the batting lineup, with each claiming three wickets. The Kings were eventually bundled out for a mere 87, handing Zalmi the largest victory margin in PSL history.

The result propelled Zalmi to second place in the standings, while Karachi Kings slipped further down the table, compounding a difficult run in the tournament.

With the competition heating up, Hyderabad’s breakthrough win and Zalmi’s record-setting performance have added fresh intrigue to the PSL season, as teams battle for momentum in the crucial middle phase.