PSL 2025, Match 9 Review: Peshawar Zalmi batters, Raza spell propel to governing 120-run win vs Multan Sultans

In the ninth game of the season at Rawalpindi, Peshawar Zalmi defeated Multan Sultans by 120 runs, the most in the league’s history. This victory helped them recover and reclaim their spot in the 2025 Pakistan Super League.

After winning the toss, Zalmi captain Babar Azam chose to bat first, but at first it appeared dubious because he and Saim Ayub both fell within the first three overs. But with 79 runs for the third wicket in just 34 balls, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Muhammad Haris steadied the innings. With two boundaries and five sixes, Kohler-Cadmore scored 52 off 30 balls, while Haris quickly reached 45 off 21 balls with a strike rate of 214.

The scoreboard continued to move quickly after that thanks to Abdul Samad (40 off just 14), Mitchell Owen (34 off 15), and Hussain Talat (37 off 29). During his brief appearance, Samad hit 285.71 runs with a strike rate of four boundaries and three sixes. In the end, Zalmi amassed 227/7 in their 20 overs.

A day to remember for Multan’s bowling team, Akif Javed gave up 52 runs in his three overs, including 24 in the 18th over alone. After giving up 51 runs throughout his period, Usama Mir also had a difficult night. With 2 for 37, Michael Bracewell was the only player to be on the economical end.

With a 15-run cameo from captain Mohammad Rizwan, Multan got off to a good start chasing a total of 228. But the other batsmen were unable to have much of an effect when he was removed in the fourth over by a deft legbreak from Ayub. Attempting to make a large stand, Shai Hope (20) and Usman Khan (44) were unable to stay for too long. Ali Raza, 17, then swept through the Sultan’s middle order.

Iftikhar Ahmed, Bracewell, Ashton Turner, and Kamran Ghulam were all fired by Raza.

Multan lost three straight games this season after being bowled out for just 107 in 15.5 overs by Mitchell Owen, who finished with two wickets. Abdul Samad’s batting and three catches earned him the title of Player of the Match.