HBL PSL 2025: Peshawar Zalmi kick-start campaign with crushing win against Multan Sultans

In the HBL Pakistan Super League, Peshawar Zalmi showcased a revitalized performance, achieving a commanding 120-run victory over the Multan Sultans at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Here we will discuss HBL PSL 2025: Peshawar Zalmi kicks to Multan Sultans.

Despite struggles from their captain, Babar Azam, the team benefited from strong contributions from the top and middle-order batsmen, marking a significant start to their campaign. Meanwhile, for the Multan Sultans, the situation has deteriorated further this season.

Zalmi’s Impressive Recovery Secures Big Win Over Multan

Despite a rocky start at 5-2, Zalmi showcased impressive resilience to finish their innings strong, ending up with a fantastic score of 227-7 after choosing to bat first. Stellar contributions from Mohammad Haris (45), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (52), and Hussain Talat (37) boosted their total, while Mitchell Owen and Abdul Samad added a great late flourish. Conversely, Multan faced a tough time during their chase, thanks to a phenomenal bowling performance from Ali Raza, who took 4 wickets for just 21 runs. They ended up getting bowled out for 107 in the 16th over, which was quite a turnaround from their initial start. Zalmi, who had also lost their first two games, had a challenging beginning again, with Michael Bracewell striking early by sending opener Saim Ayub’s off-stump flying, followed by Babar getting out lbw to David Willey. After a couple of low scores, Babar could only manage two runs this time and even lost a review in the process.

Zalmi’s Explosive Batting Propels Them to Big Total

Haris started strong for Zalmi with a six on the first ball, and the team gained momentum through several boundaries, particularly from Kohler-Cadmore and Haris. They ended the powerplay at 69-2, with a score of 106-3 at the halfway mark. Kohler-Cadmore reached his 50 off 28 balls but was dismissed shortly after. Despite losing a couple of quick wickets, Owen and Samad dominated the final five overs, contributing significantly to Zalmi’s total with Owen scoring 34 off 15 balls and Samad hitting 40 off just 14 balls, leading to a total of 83 runs in the last five overs.

Sultans Collapses in Chase as Zalmi Bowlers Dominate

The Sultans began the chase with determination, and despite the early loss of skipper Rizwan (15) in the fourth over due to an impulsive moment — top-edging a delivery from Saim — Shai Hope and one-drop Usman Khan rallied the team to 61-1 by the end of the powerplay. Hope, with a spirited run-a-ball 20, fell soon after, caught at long-on by Arif Yaqoob (3-20), but the challenge continued as Kamran Ghulam struggled to find his rhythm. Ali then showcased his skills, taking two wickets in two balls, leaving the Sultans at 84-5. Michael Bracewell made an uncharacteristic return catch to Ali, who followed up with a stunning inswinger that dismantled Ashton Turner’s stumps. The Sultans faced further challenges when Usman, after a brilliant 22-ball 44 filled with three sixes and four fours, was caught at mid-wicket by Saim off Arif’s bowling. Ali claimed his fourth wicket, sending Iftikhar back, while Arif dismissed Usama. Yet, Willey and Ubaid displayed resilience, delaying the inevitable. Owen then made a statement by taking two wickets in five deliveries, concluding the contest. Though the Sultans faced their third defeat in a row, their journey is marked by perseverance and the spirit to rise again.

Scoreboard of both teams

PESHAWAR ZALMI

• Saim Ayub b Bracewell 2
• Babar Azam lbw b Willey 2
• Tom Kohler-Cadmore c Willey b Bracewell 52
• Mohammad Haris c Iftikhar b Ubaid 45
• Hussain Talat c Akif b Iftikhar 37
• Mitchell Owen c Rizwan b Willey 34
• Abdul Samad c Iftikhar b Ubaid 40
• Alzarri Joseph not out 5
• Luke Wood not out 0
• EXTRAS (B-6, NB-2, W-2) 10
• TOTAL (for seven wickets, 20 overs) 227
• DID NOT BAT: Arif Yaqoob, Ali Raza
• FALL OF WICKETS: 1-3 (Saim), 2-5 (Babar), 3-84 (Haris), 4-137 (Kohler-Cadmore), 5-143 (Hussain), 6-216 (Owen), 7-222 (Samad).
• BOWLING: Willey 4-0-36-2 (1w), Bracewell 4-0-37-2, Akif 3-0-52-0 (1w, 2nb), Usama 4-0-51-0, Ubaid 4-0-40-2, Iftikhar 1-0-5-1.

MULTAN SULTANS

• • Mohammad Rizwan c Wood b Saim 15
  • Shai Hope c Owen b Arif 20
  • Usman Khan c Saim b Arif 44
  • Kamran Ghulam c Joseph b Ali 6
  • Michael Bracewell c & b Ali 3
  • Ashton Turner b Ali 0
  • Iftikhar Ahmed c Samad b Ali 2
  • David Willey c Wood b Owen 13
  • Usama Mir c Samad b Arif 1, Ubaid Shah not out 3, Akif Javed c Samad b Owen 0, EXTRAS 0, TOTAL (all out, 15.5 overs) 107
  • FALL OF WICKETS: 1-27 (Rizwan), 2-63 (Hope), 3-70 (Kamran), 4-84 (Bracewell), 5-84 (Turner), 6-90 (Usman), 7-92 (Iftikhar), 8-95 (Usama), 9-107 (Willey.
  • BOWLING: Wood 3-0-22-0, Joseph 3-0-30-0, Saim 1-0-12-1, Arif 4-0-20-3, Ali 4-0-21-4, Owen 0.5-0-2-2.

• RESULT: Peshawar Zalmi won by 120 runs.

Conclusion

Peshawar Zalmi achieved a commanding victory over Multan Sultans, winning by 120 runs and marking a significant turnaround after experiencing two early losses in their campaign. While Babar Azam faced ongoing challenges, the rest of the batting lineup excelled, particularly players like Haris, Kohler-Cadmore, Owen, and Samad, who delivered strong performances. Their aggressive batting was complemented by an impressive bowling display from Ali Raza and Arif Yaqoob, who effectively halted Multan’s pursuit. In contrast, Multan Sultans are struggling, having suffered their third consecutive defeat in the tournament. Here we will discuss HBL PSL 2025: Peshawar Zalmi kicks to Multan Sultans

FAQ’s

Who was the top scorer for Peshawar Zalmi?
Tom Kohler-Cadmore scored the highest with 52 runs.

Who was the best bowler for Zalmi in the match?
Ali Raza was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets for 21 runs.

What was the result of the match?
Peshawar Zalmi won by a massive margin of 120 runs.