With a stellar all-round performance, Peshawar Zalmi made a commanding return in the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) securing their first win by defeating Multan Sultans by 120 runs as the Sultans struggled and succumbed to their third consecutive defeat of the tournament.
Multan Sultans’ chase began shakily, with the loss of their captain Mohammad Rizwan early in the chase. Rizwan was dismissed for 15 off 9 balls, caught by Luke Wood off Saim Ayub’s bowling.
The early breakthrough proved crucial as the Sultans were left to rebuild their innings, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Shai Hope was dismissed for 20 off 20 balls, caught by Mitchell Owen off Arif Yaqoob’s delivery.
Following his dismissal, Usman Khan provided some hope for the Sultans with a quickfire 44 off 22 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes. But his stay at the crease was short-lived, as he was dismissed by Arif Yaqoob, leaving the Sultans at 85/3.
Kamran Ghulam and Michael Bracewell failed to make much of an impact, scoring 6 and 3, respectively. Ali Raza was the main wicket-taker for Zalmi, claiming three important wickets, including the dismissals of Ghulam, Bracewell, and Ashton Turner. Turner was dismissed for a duck, struggling to find any form.
Iftikhar Ahmed was also sent packing cheaply, falling for just 2 runs. The pressure continued to mount as David Willey (13) and Usama Mir (1) quickly followed suit, both caught by Zalmi fielders.
The tailenders, Ubaid Shah and Akif Javed could not provide any significant resistance, and Multan Sultans were bowled out for just 107 in 16.3 overs.
Peshawar Zalmi’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Saim Ayub, Arif Yaqoob, and Ali Raza, restricted the Sultans throughout their innings, making sure the required run rate was never within reach.
With the Sultans' chase faltering, Peshawar Zalmi secured a comfortable win by 119 runs, further bolstering their campaign with first win in PSL 2025.
Earlier, A blistering 52 off 30 balls from Tom Kohler-Cadmore and a whirlwind 40 off just 14 deliveries by Abdul Samad propelled their team to a formidable total of 227 for 7 in 20 overs, despite a shaky start against the new ball.
Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and elected to bat first against Multan Sultans in their much-anticipated match.
Openers Saim Ayub and captain Babar Azam failed to provide momentum, both departing cheaply for 2 runs each, falling to Michael Bracewell and David Willey respectively. Their early exits left the side reeling at 5 for 2.
With the openers dismissed cheaply, Zalmi found themselves in trouble at 12/2 after the first three overs but then, Mohammad Haris and Tom Kohler-Cadmore turned the game on its head with some sensational batting.
The duo’s explosive partnership put Zalmi back on track, as they scored an impressive 69 runs at the end of the powerplay. Haris led the charge with a blistering knock, smashing 45 runs off just 21 balls, including three sixes.
His aggression was well supported by Kohler-Cadmore, who contributed a quickfire 52 runs off 30 balls, with 5 boundaries and 2 sixes.
Together, the pair put on a stunning 79-run partnership in just 31 balls, completely changing the momentum of the game as Cadmore smashing 5 sixes in his 30-ball knock of 52 at a strike rate of 173.33.
Hussain Talat (37 off 29) and Mitchell Owen (34 off 15) kept the momentum going through the middle overs, setting the stage for a blistering finish.
Abdul Samad then unleashed a late onslaught, smashing a rapid 40 off just 14 deliveries, including four fours and three sixes. His explosive cameo came at a staggering strike rate of 285.71.
The innings ended with the team reaching 227/7.
Among the bowlers, David Willey and Ubaid Shah picked up two wickets each, while Bracewell and Iftikhar Ahmed chipped in with one apiece.
Multan Sultans XI: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain & wk), Shai Hope, Usman Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Ashton Turner, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, David Willey, Usama Mir, Akif Javed, Ubaid Shah
Peshawar Zalmi XI: Babar Azam (Captain), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom-Kohler Cadmore, Hussain Talat, Mitch Owen, Abdul Samad, Luke Wood, Alzari Joseph, Arif Yaqoob, Ali Raza
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