In the final of Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Sunday, Aaron Hardie stepped up with a 35 off 29 balls with the bat and then took regular wickets with the ball to help Peshawar Zakmi stay calm and defeat Hyderabad Kingsmen by five-wicket.
Along with the ball, Hardie took four wickets, while he also marked a half-century (56 not out off 39 balls) to turn around and guide the Peshawar for a historic win.
Abdul Samad (48 off 34 balls) offered decent support to the Australian after Peshawar slumped from 40-0 to 40-4 chasing Hyderabad’s total of129 all out.
The hosts had a miserable start as skipperBabar Azam, the leading run-scorer of the season with 588 runs, was dismissed for a duck.
Pace bowlers Mohammad Ali (4-0-38-3) and Hunain Shah (4-0-29-1) provided Hyderabad with some hope while defending a small total when they took early wickets, but Hardie remained undeterred.
Youngster Samad played a match-turning partnership with the 27-year-old replacing Hayat for the fifth wicket of 85 runs to give Zalmi their second PSL crown.
Hardie (4-0-27-4) produced a match-winning spell of fast bowling before Peshawar contained Hyderabad to a small total.
“You could say that there could not have been a more auspicious beginning to my PSL adventure. His never allowing for positive emotions on his part Well, that’s it — my thankfulness to be a Zalmi and getting to know everyone. It’s been really enjoyable, and a very successful season obviously,’ said Hardie.
Peshawar topped the league stage with 17 points from 10 matches, including eight wins, proving their dominance throughout a campaign capped by a comprehensive final victory.
Peshawar hammered Islamabad United in the eliminator to make it one step closer to the final which they won on Sunday.
When asked to explain how that would give West Ham an edge, former homegrown defender Michael Carrick said: “Well, look from the start we sat down and decided what kind of style we want to play when playing in this tournament. Credit a lot to the players for how they have gone about it. “We have lost just one game; we were consistent all through,” Peshawar Zalmi coach Ottis Gibson said in a statement.
Hyderabad’s dream debut season was dashed when they ran into Peshawar.
The debutants lost their opening three games before going on an incredible run, winning seven of the next eight to reach the final.
Expectations were at their peak when they entered the final but Peshawar’s bowling, well led by Hardie kept taking wickets throughout and didn’t allow them to post a big total.
Saim Ayub’s dismissals, whose definite 54 off 50 balls couldn’t receive any assist from the opposite end.
“There were a few things that did not start off too well for us. Probably left a few out there as a batting group,” Hyderabad captain Marnus Labuschagne said.
“There simply wasn’t enough runs on the board. Of course, tonight hurts but when you look back on it – it’s been a fantastic season for us and a fantastic tournament.’
Brief scores:
Final – Peshawar Zalmi beat Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Hyderabad Kingsmen 129 all out, 18 overs (Saim Ayub 54, Marnus Labuschagne 20; Aaron Hardie 4-27, Nahid Rana 2-22)
Peshawar Zalmi 130-5, 15.2 overs (Aaron Hardie 56 not out, Abdul Samad 48; Mohammad Ali 3-38)
Player of the Final: Aaron Hardie (Peshawar Zalmi)
Best Batter of the tournament: Babar Azam – 588 runs (Peshawar Zalmi)
Best Bowler and player of the tournament: Sufyan Moqim – 22 wickets (Peshawar Zalmi)
Best wicket-keeper of the tournament: Kusal Mendis – 550 runs and 8 dismissals (Peshawar Zalmi)
All-rounder of the tournament: Shadab Khan – 17 wickets and 173 runs (Islamabad United)
Emerging player of the tournament: Hunain Shah – (Hyderabad Kingsmen)
Best fielder of the tournament: Farhan Yousuf – 10 catches (Peshawar Zalmi)
Player of the tournament: Sufyan Moqim (Peshawar Zalmi)
Spirit of cricket award: Hyderabad Kingsmen