Peshawar Zalmi beat Multan Sultans by 24 runs to stay unbeaten in PSL

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi defeated Multan Sultans by 24 runs in the HBL Pakistan Super League’s top-of-the-table clash at the National Bank Stadium on Monday night, extending their unbeaten run in completed matches and strengthening their hold on first place.

Zalmi posted 196 for six after being sent in to bat, with Kusal Mendis leading the innings through a 40-ball 68 that included three sixes and six fours. The Sri Lankan batter, who had entered the match after a century and a fifty in his previous appearances, again provided the backbone of the total.

Mohammad Haris had earlier given Zalmi early momentum with 38 off 17 balls, striking three sixes and four boundaries, before Peter Siddle dismissed him. Captain Babar Azam made 18 before falling to Mohammad Nawaz.

After those early wickets, Mendis and Pakistan U-19 captain Farhan Yousaf rebuilt the innings with a 68-run third-wicket partnership off 39 deliveries. Farhan contributed 30 before he was caught by Shan Masood off Mohammad Wasim. Mendis continued to score freely and helped take Zalmi beyond 150 in the 16th over.

Michael Bracewell added 14, while late runs from Iftikhar Ahmed, who struck a six and a four in his 10, helped Zalmi finish strongly. Young pacer Mohammad Ismail removed both Bracewell and Mendis in quick succession, while Siddle also finished with two wickets. Multan’s bowlers ended with Nawaz taking 1-38, Ismail 2-22, Siddle 2-29 and Wasim 1-41.

Zalmi bowlers restrict Sultans

In reply, Multan Sultans made a brisk start despite losing Sahibzada Farhan for 17 to Iftikhar Ahmed. Steven Smith and Josh Philippe then pushed the score to 61-1 in the powerplay. Smith made 31 and Philippe scored 32, but both were dismissed by Sufiyan Muqeem in a key spell that shifted the match.

Sufiyan also removed Ashton Turner for 20 to finish with 3-30, while Iftikhar returned figures of 2-32. Their combined effort accounted for five wickets and kept Multan from taking control of the chase.

Shan Masood mounted a counterattack with 35 off 19 balls, collecting a series of boundaries against Aamer Jamal, but his dismissal to Iftikhar at a crucial stage checked Multan’s recovery. Nahid Rana then removed Arafat Minhas with a bouncer, and Aamer dismissed Mohammad Nawaz as Zalmi tightened their grip on the contest.

Multan closed on 172 for eight in their 20 overs. According to the scoreboard carried in the match report, Mohammad Nawaz is listed twice in the batting card, once for 16 and again for 4, with the fall of wickets showing Wasim at 164 and Nawaz at 170.

Zalmi’s bowling figures were led by Sufiyan’s 3-30, followed by Iftikhar’s 2-32, Nahid’s 2-24 and Aamer’s 1-29. Shoriful Islam and Bracewell went wicketless.

The result gave Zalmi their sixth win in five completed matches, with one fixture washed out, and further consolidated their position at the top of the standings. Sufiyan Muqeem was named man of the match.

Score summary

Peshawar Zalmi 196-6 in 20 overs (Kusal Mendis 68, Mohammad Haris 38, Farhan Yousaf 30; Mohammad Ismail 2-22, Peter Siddle 2-29) beat Multan Sultans 172-8 in 20 overs (Shan Masood 35, Josh Philippe 32, Steven Smith 31; Sufiyan Muqeem 3-30, Iftikhar Ahmed 2-32) by 24 runs.