Hyderabad Kingsmen, Peshawar Zalmi set for PSL final face-off in Lahore today
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium is all set to host the final of the 11th season of HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), with Hyderabad Kingsmen and Peshawar Zalmi taking on each other. The toss for the tournament decider will be held at 7:30pm following a star-studded closing ceremony. The final action will begin at 8pm. Peshawar Zalmi, who entered the final after crushing three-time champions Islamabad United by 70 runs, are on a run for their second title. They last lifted the trophy in 2017, when they defeated Quetta Gladiators in the final. Throughout PSL 11, Babar Azam-led Zalmi registered eight victories and just a single defeat, to the Gladiators, sealing the top spot in the points table. Meanwhile, Kingsmen — one of the two new franchises added to the PSL circuit in this edition — secured a stunning 2-run victory over Islamabad United in the make-or-break eliminator on Friday to book a place in the final. Led by Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne, Kingsmen had a rough start to the campaign, losing five games in a row before getting back on track to win the next five fixtures and qualify for the playoffs.