Table of Contents

After weeks of intense cricketing action, the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2026) has come to an end, where Peshawar Zalmi are crowned champions after a wait of nine long years, beating the Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

It turned out to be a low-scoring encounter where the Peshawar side held their nerve and got the job done in a composed manner.

Aaron Hardie was the star of the show in the summit clash, becoming the first player in the league’s history to take four wickets and score a half-century in a PSL final. His all-round brilliance summed up a season where individual performances consistently stepped up on the big stage.

Just like every year, this season too saw several records refreshed and standout performances that will be remembered for a long time. Here’s a closer look at the major awards and milestones from PSL 2026.

Major awards and individual performances of PSL 2026

The individual honours were largely dominated by Peshawar Zalmi players, reflecting their dominance throughout the season.

  • Player of the Tournament: Sufiyan Muqeem (Peshawar Zalmi) – 22 wickets in 11 matches
  • Batter of the Tournament: Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 588 runs (Hanif Mohammad Cap)
  • Bowler of the Tournament: Sufiyan Muqeem (Peshawar Zalmi) – 22 wickets (Fazal Mahmood Cap)
  • All-Rounder of the Tournament: Shadab Khan (Islamabad United) – 173 runs and 17 wickets
  • Best Wicketkeeper: Kusal Mendis (Peshawar Zalmi) – 550 runs and 9 dismissals
  • Emerging Player: Hunain Shah (Islamabad United) – 17 wickets in 10 innings

Babar Azam headlines a remarkable season with record-breaking consistency

Babar Azam once again proved why he remains one of the finest batters in the league. Despite getting out for a first-ball duck in the final, his overall campaign was nothing short of exceptional.

He played a crucial role in Peshawar Zalmi’s title-winning run and was the backbone of their batting lineup throughout the season.

Record-breaking performances

The 2026 edition witnessed several records being matched and rewritten, making major cricket news.

  • Most runs in a single season: Babar Azam equalled the all-time PSL record with 588 runs in one edition.
  • Highest partnership: Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis stitched together a 191-run opening stand against Karachi Kings, the highest in PSL history
  • Most career hundreds: Babar Azam now jointly holds the record for most PSL centuries (4) after adding two more this season.
  • 4 wickets and fifty: Aaron Hardie becomes first player ever to score a half century and take four wickets in PSL final.

Standout inagural season for Hyderabad Kingsmen

Meanwhile, Hyderabad Kingsmen deserve immense credit for their incredible journey in their inaugural season. After losing four matches at the start, the side looked completely off track under Marnus Labuschagne.

But what followed was a remarkable turnaround. They fought their way into the finals with impressive wins over strong sides like Multan Sultans in the Eliminator and Islamabad United in Eliminator 2.

They were in a good position in the PSL 2026 final as well, but things did not go their way in the end. Still, this campaign has laid a strong foundation and the future certainly looks bright for the franchise.