RAWALPINDI: Peshawar Zalmi made a resounding start to their HBL PSL 2025 campaign, crushing Multan Sultans by 120 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, despite continued struggles from captain Babar Azam.
Zalmi bounced back from early setbacks in both the match and the season, putting in a comprehensive performance with both bat and ball. After losing their first two games and slumping to 5-2 early in their innings, they staged a remarkable comeback to post a commanding total of 227-7.
Key contributions came from Mohammad Haris (45), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (52), and Hussain Talat (37), while Mitchell Owen (34 off 15) and Abdul Samad (40 off 14) delivered a powerful late surge, adding 83 runs in the final five overs.
Multan’s chase started brightly but soon fell apart under pressure from Zalmi’s pace attack, especially Ali Raza, who delivered a match-winning spell of 4-21. The Sultans were bowled out for just 107 in 15.5 overs, suffering their third consecutive loss.
Match Recap:
Zalmi’s innings got off to a rocky start with Saim Ayub bowled by Michael Bracewell and Babar Azam falling lbw to David Willey for just two runs, continuing his lean patch. However, Mohammad Haris and Tom Kohler-Cadmore quickly turned the tide, going after the bowlers in style.
Haris launched a six off his very first delivery and helped Zalmi take 21 runs off Bracewell’s second over. Together with Kohler-Cadmore, he powered Zalmi to 69-2 at the end of the powerplay.
Although Haris was dismissed after a blistering 21-ball 45, the momentum continued with Kohler-Cadmore reaching his half-century. After his dismissal, Hussain Talat kept the innings steady before Owen and Samad unleashed a late onslaught, hitting a combined seven sixes and eight boundaries.
Multan’s Struggle:
Chasing 228, Multan had a decent start with skipper Mohammad Rizwan (15) and Shai Hope (20) guiding them to 61-1 by the end of the powerplay. But their innings collapsed soon after.
Arif Yaqoob (3-20) and Ali Raza triggered the downfall, with Ali removing key batters in quick succession, including Bracewell and Ashton Turner in back-to-back deliveries. Usman Khan was the lone resistance, scoring 44 off 22 balls with three sixes and four fours, but he too fell to Arif.
Zalmi sealed the win in emphatic fashion as Mitchell Owen cleaned up the tail, picking two wickets in his five-ball spell to end Multan’s innings at 107.
Score Summary:
Peshawar Zalmi – 227/7 (20 overs)
- Kohler-Cadmore 52, Haris 45, Samad 40
- Bracewell 2-37, Willey 2-36
Multan Sultans – 107 all out (15.5 overs)
- Usman Khan 44, Hope 20
- Ali Raza 4-21, Arif Yaqoob 3-20
Result: Peshawar Zalmi won by 120 runs.
