Mendis ton, Babar 87 power Peshawar to record-breaking 159-run win
Karachi: Peshawar Zalmi crushed Karachi Kings by a record 159 runs in Match 17 of HBL Pakistan Super League 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday night, riding on Kusal Mendis’ record-breaking century and a combined bowling effort to skittle Karachi for 87 in 16.1 overs.
The result lifted Peshawar Zalmi to second in the standings with seven points from four matches and a net run-rate of 2.87, while Karachi Kings slipped to fourth.
Mendis became the first Sri Lankan to register a century in HBL PSL – a sparkling 109 off 52 balls including 14 fours and four sixes and also shared a 191-run second-wicket stand with captain Babar Azam — the highest partnership for any wicket in HBL PSL.
The duo surpassed the previous mark of 176 set by Babar and Sharjeel Khan for Karachi Kings against Islamabad United in 2021.
Babar finished unbeaten on 87 from 51 deliveries with 10 fours and two sixes, while Abdul Samad provided the late fireworks with an unbeaten 40 from just 12 balls including three fours and four sixes to lift Peshawar to a daunting 246 for three – their highest-ever total in HBL PSL, highest-ever team total at the National Bank Stadium and the sixth-highest in the league.
