KARACHI: A fluent half-century from Kusal Mendis, followed by a disciplined three-wicket spell by Sufiyan Muqeem, powered Peshawar Zalmi to a 24-run victory over Multan Sultans in the 22nd match of Pakistan Super League at the National Bank Stadium on Monday.
Chasing a challenging 197-run target, the Sultans managed 172/8 in their allotted 20 overs, slipping to their second defeat of the tournament. Sultan had a shaky start as Sahibzada Farhan fell early with just 30 runs on the board. Steve Smith and Josh Philippe then tried to steady the innings with a 55-run stand, but Sufiyan Muqeem turned the tide by removing both in a decisive 10th over. Philippe struck a quick 32 off 17 balls, while Smith contributed 31 runs off 29 balls.
Vice-captain Shan Masood led the resistance with a brisk 35, building useful partnerships with skipper Ashton Turner and Arafat Minhas. However, his dismissal in the 16th over halted the momentum. The Sultans then lost wickets at regular intervals, with Nahid Rana striking twice in the closing stages, including the key scalp of Mohammad Wasim Jr.
In the final over, Aamir Jamal kept things tight, conceding minimal runs and sealing Zalmi’s fifth win in six matches. Muqeem led the bowling effort with figures of 3/30, while Iftikhar Ahmed and Rana picked up two wickets apiece, and Jamal chipped in with one.
Earlier, Turner’s decision to bowl first proved costly as Zalmi posted a competitive 196/6. Openers Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam gave their side a rapid start, adding 48 runs. Haris was the aggressor, smashing 40 off just 17 balls before falling in the fifth over.
Babar struggled for fluency during his 18-run knock before being dismissed, but Mendis then took charge of the innings. Alongside Farhan Yousaf, he stitched together a crucial 63-run partnership to keep the momentum going. Yousaf scored 30 off 22 balls before departing in the 15th over.
Mendis continued his attacking display, later adding 34 runs with Michael Bracewell, before both fell in quick succession late in the innings. The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter top-scored with a 68 off 40 deliveries, laced with boundaries and sixes.
A late cameo from Iftikhar added valuable runs in the closing moments, pushing Zalmi close to the 200-run mark. For the Sultans, Peter Siddle and Mohammad Ismail claimed two wickets each, while Mohammad Nawaz and Wasim Jr picked up one apiece.
