Zalmi Blaze to Record 120-Run Win Over Sultans as Ali Raza, Samad Shine in Historic Triumph

Peshawar Zalmi stormed into PSL X with a sensational statement, thrashing Multan Sultans by a record 120 runs — the biggest winning margin in PSL history — in a one-sided contest at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday night.

After being reduced to 5 for 2 inside three overs, Zalmi regrouped through an explosive middle-order charge, posting 227 for 7 before young pacer Ali Raza dismantled Multan’s chase with a fiery four-wicket haul.

It was a night of comebacks and carnage for Peshawar. Losing Babar Azam (2) and Saim Ayub early, the momentum swiftly shifted thanks to Mohammad Haris’ 45 off 21 balls. Haris shared a rapid 79-run stand in just 33 deliveries with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who struck 52 off 30 (2 fours, 5 sixes) to steady the innings.

After their dismissals, Hussain Talat (37 off 29) kept the innings ticking before a thunderous finish from Abdul Samad and Mitchell Owen launched Zalmi past the 200-run mark. Samad blazed his way to 40 off 14 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes), while Owen clattered 34 off just 15 with four towering sixes.

The late fireworks helped Zalmi plunder 80 runs in the final five overs, leaving Multan shell-shocked and under pressure.

Chasing 228, Sultans never found their rhythm. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan fell for a duck on the first ball of Saim Ayub’s surprise over, and from there the collapse was relentless. Ali Raza struck twice in two balls — removing Michael Bracewell and Ashton Turner — and finished with career-best figures of 4 for 21.

Arif Yaqoob (3-20) and Mitchell Owen (2-2) maintained the squeeze as Multan crashed to 107 all out in 15.5 overs. Only Usman Khan (44 off 22) offered brief resistance, while Shai Hope chipped in with 20.

The clinical victory handed Zalmi their first points of the season in dominant fashion and shattered Multan’s confidence with a defeat of historic proportions.

Scores in brief:

Match 9 – Peshawar Zalmi beat Multan Sultans by 120 runs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Peshawar Zalmi: 227-7 in 20 overs (Tom Kohler-Cadmore 52, Mohammad Haris 45, Abdul Samad 40, Hussain Talat 37, Mitchell Owen 34; David Willey 2-36, Michael Bracewell 2-37, Ubaid Shah 2-40)
Multan Sultans: 107 all out in 15.5 overs (Usman Khan 44, Shai Hope 20; Ali Raza 4-21, Arif Yaqoob 3-20, Mitchell Owen 2-2)

Player of the Match: Abdul Samad (Peshawar Zalmi)

Sunday’s Fixture: Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United, National Bank Stadium, Karachi – 8:00 PM PKT