Kusal Mendis etched his name into Pakistan Super League history on Wednesday night, becoming the first Sri Lankan batter ever to score a century in the tournament as Peshawar Zalmi crushed Karachi Kings in Match 17 of PSL 2026 at the National Stadium, Karachi.
The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter produced a stunning knock of 109 runs off just 52 balls, single-handedly dismantling a Karachi Kings side that had entered the contest with an unblemished record in the competition.
Coming in at number three, Mendis was authoritative from the outset. His innings featured 14 fours and 4 sixes, with a strike rate of 209.62, a relentless assault that left the home bowling attack with no answers on a flat Karachi surface.
The pivotal phase of the innings came through a massive alliance with Babar Azam. The two batters built a 161-run partnership that all but sealed the contest before the final overs had even begun. Babar himself was in fine touch, contributing a steady 87 off 51 balls in support of his explosive partner.
Mendis reached his hundred in the 17th over, completing the milestone with a calm single off Adam Zampa towards square leg. The moment drew roars from a crowd that had witnessed something never seen before in PSL history.
The carnage didn’t stop there. Abdul Samad provided a devastating finish with an unbeaten 40 off just 12 balls in the closing overs, helping Peshawar Zalmi post an imposing total of 246/3 in their 20 overs.
Karachi Kings, who had won the toss and elected to bowl first, found themselves chasing a target that proved too steep, as their previously untouched record finally came undone.
For Mendis, the century is the latest chapter in a remarkable run of form. After an impressive T20 World Cup earlier in 2026, he continues to demonstrate why he is one of the most destructive openers in the shortest format of the game. Wednesday night in Karachi, however, belonged entirely to him.
