Peshawar Zalmi finally ended their long wait for glory as Babar Azam led from the front to clinch his maiden Pakistan Super League (PSL) title as captain. Zalmi secured a composed five-wicket win over Hyderabad Kingsmen in the PSL 11 final at Gaddafi Stadium, marking their second title overall and first since 2017.
The moment carried extra weight for Babar, who had previously lifted the trophy as a player but was chasing validation as a leader. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi presented the trophy, capping off a milestone night in Babar’s captaincy journey.
Reflecting on the achievement, Babar summed it up with a calm perspective: success doesn’t always come instantly, but persistence pays off. It was a statement that mirrored his journey—steady, composed, and built on resilience rather than flash.
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However, the post-match buzz wasn’t limited to the on-field heroics. Social media quickly lit up with comparisons between Babar’s trophy lift and a famous celebration by Rohit Sharma. Fans circulated clips highlighting similarities in posture and timing, sparking a wave of memes and light-hearted banter. While some called it a tribute, others jokingly labeled it a “copy,” turning the moment into a trending online discussion.
Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed tried to copy Rohit Sharma’s iconic celebration but failed disastrously 😭🤣
Just look at Iftikhar Ahmed bro tried his best but failed badly 😂 pic.twitter.com/uPZvlnEANJ
— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) May 4, 2026
Babar Azam tried to copy Rohit Sharma’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup celebration but turned a legendary moment into a meme 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/xrxjxsRI55
— Ankur (@flick_class) May 4, 2026
The real difference-maker, though, was Aaron Hardie. The all-rounder delivered a match-winning performance, picking up 4/27 to restrict Hyderabad to 129 and then anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 56. His all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award and ultimately defined the final.
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Zalmi’s chase had its tense moments. Reduced to 40/4, including Babar’s golden duck, they were under early pressure. But Hardie, alongside Abdul Samad, stitched a crucial 85-run partnership that steadied the innings and guided the team home in 15.2 overs.
Babar credited the collective effort, emphasizing how each player executed their role throughout the tournament, while Hardie praised the team’s resilience under pressure.
