Peshawar Zalmi bounced back in emphatic fashion as their bowlers tore through Multan Sultans, setting up a comprehensive seven-wicket victory in Match 25 of PSL X at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Monday night.
Sultans, who opted to bat first, were bundled out for a paltry 108 — their third-lowest total of the season — as Ahmed Daniyal (3-12) led a ruthless bowling display that kept Zalmi’s playoff aspirations firmly intact. The chase was wrapped up inside 13 overs, with 42 balls to spare, as Max Bryant (38* off 29) and Saim Ayub (49 off 33) powered Zalmi to their fourth win of the tournament.
Multan’s innings never gained traction after losing Yasir Khan (10) and skipper Mohammad Rizwan (17) inside the Powerplay, with Saim Ayub and Luke Wood striking early. Despite a brief recovery through Tayyab Tahir (22) and Shai Hope (23), the innings crumbled swiftly once Ahmed Daniyal removed Tayyab in the ninth over.
Left-arm spinner Maaz Sadaqat (2-12) tightened the noose further, dismissing Ashton Turner for a duck and castling Muhammad Amir Barki. The middle-order collapse continued with Shahid Aziz and Hope falling in quick succession, and Multan were all out for 108 in 19.1 overs — a total well below par.
In response, Zalmi lost Mitchell Owen in the first over, but Saim Ayub’s aggressive stroke play put the chase on fast track. His 49, laced with four boundaries and three sixes, laid the perfect foundation. Though Shahid Aziz (2-17) briefly checked the flow by removing Babar Azam (8) and Saim, Max Bryant calmly anchored the chase, striking five fours and a six to complete the rout.
With eight points from as many matches, Peshawar Zalmi remain in the hunt for the playoffs and must win their remaining two games to stay in contention. For Multan, the defeat was a stark reminder of their batting vulnerabilities ahead of the knockout stages.
Scores in brief:
Match 25 – Peshawar Zalmi beat Multan Sultans by 7 wickets at Multan Cricket Stadium
Multan Sultans: 108 all out in 19.1 overs (Shai Hope 23, Tayyab Tahir 22; Ahmed Daniyal 3-17, Maaz Sadaqat 2-12, Luke Wood 2-18)
Peshawar Zalmi: 110-3 in 13 overs (Saim Ayub 49, Max Bryant 38*; Shahid Aziz 2-17)
Player of the Match – Ahmed Daniyal (Peshawar Zalmi)
Next Fixture: Wednesday – Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, 8:00 PM PKT
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