Peshawar Zalmi delivered a dominant bowling performance to crush Multan Sultans by seven wickets, keeping their playoff hopes alive in the 25th match of HBL PSL X at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Monday night.

By PakPassion Staff (May 5th, 2025)

Ahmed Daniyal was named Player of the Match for his sensational spell of 3 for 12, which helped Zalmi dismiss the Sultans for a paltry 108 — their third-lowest total of the season. Babar Azam’s side chased down the target with ease, reaching it with 42 balls to spare.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Multan endured a rough start, losing openers Yasir Khan (10) and skipper Mohammad Rizwan (17) during the powerplay. Yasir was removed by Saim Ayub, while Luke Wood accounted for Rizwan.

Tayyab Tahir (22 off 18) and Shai Hope (23 off 21) provided brief resistance with a 26-run stand, but Ahmed Daniyal struck again to remove Tayyab at 60-3 in the ninth over.

Left-arm spinner Maaz Sadaqat then tightened the screws by dismissing Ashton Turner for a duck in the 10th over and bowling out Muhammad Amir Barki in the 12th. Two balls later, pacer Ali Raza sent Shahid Aziz packing, reducing Multan to 66-6.

Hope tried to stabilize the innings with a couple of boundaries and a six, but was eventually dismissed by fellow West Indian Alzarri Joseph in the 15th over. Ahmed and Wood mopped up the tail, bundling Multan out for just 108 in 19.1 overs. Maaz (2-12) and Wood (2-18) supported Ahmed’s efforts, collectively taking four wickets for 30 runs.

Chasing the modest target, Zalmi lost Mitchell Owen in the first over, but Saim Ayub bounced back to form with a blazing 49 off 33 balls, smashing four boundaries and three sixes. Shahid (3-0-17-2) managed to remove both Babar Azam (8) and Saim, but Max Bryant ensured there were no further hiccups, finishing unbeaten on 38 with five fours and a six.

With the win, Peshawar Zalmi moved to fifth place on the points table with eight points and must win their remaining two matches to qualify for the playoffs.