[CRK] Kusal Mendis, Sufiyan Muqeem Star as Peshawar Zalmi Conquer Multan Sultans in PSL Thriller

[CRK]

Peshawar Zalmi Maintain Dominance: Mendis and Muqeem Decimate Multan Sultans

In a gripping Pakistan Super League (PSL) clash that pitted the top two teams against each other, Peshawar Zalmi delivered a powerful statement, securing a convincing 24-run win over Multan Sultans. Spearheaded by the relentless form of Kusal Mendis, who crafted a magnificent 68, and a clinical bowling display, particularly from Sufiyan Muqeem and Nahid Rana, Zalmi reinforced their unbeaten run and cemented their position at the summit of the league table. The match, a true test of nerve and skill, saw Zalmi post a formidable total, which the Sultans, despite moments of brilliance, ultimately failed to chase down.

Zalmi’s Explosive Start and Mendis’s Masterclass

The stage was set at Rawalpindi for Match No. 22, with Multan Sultans winning the toss and opting to bowl first. Peshawar Zalmi’s innings began with a mix of cautious optimism and blistering aggression. While captain Babar Azam endured a rare struggle, departing after a labored 18 runs from 20 balls, it was the out-of-form Mohammad Haris who ignited the innings. Haris, known for his audacious power-hitting, made an emphatic return to form, smashing fours off the first two balls of the game. He continued his assault, particularly targeting Mohammad Nawaz, whom he pulverised for three more sixes in a single over. Haris’s whirlwind cameo of 38 runs from just 17 deliveries provided the impetus Zalmi desperately needed, setting a scorching pace at the top.

Following Haris’s fiery departure, the responsibility fell largely on the shoulders of Kusal Mendis, who has been enjoying a golden campaign in this PSL season. After a somewhat stodgy start, Mendis meticulously built his innings, gradually accelerating the scoring rate. He showcased his class by picking up the pace significantly in Arafat Minhas’s final over, dispatching him for a couple of crucial sixes. This shift in gears put Mendis firmly on track for another significant score. Before long, he brought up his third fifty-plus score of the tournament, plundering Mohammad Wasim for three boundaries in quick succession. Mendis found excellent support from his teammates; Farhan Yousaf provided valuable company in a crucial 63-run partnership, while Michael Bracewell and Iftikhar Ahmed chipped in with quickfire cameos, propelling Zalmi to a challenging total of 196 for 6.

Sultans’ Chasing Efforts and the Unanswered Question

Chasing 197 for victory, Multan Sultans began their reply with a sense of urgency. Josh Philippe and Steven Smith kept the asking rate honest in the initial ten overs, attempting to lay a solid foundation. However, the dangerous Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a relatively sedate 17 off 10 balls by Iftikhar Ahmed, preventing a potential explosive start for the Sultans. Despite promising contributions, the Sultans’ innings lacked a central anchor, a Kusal Mendis-equivalent, who could hold the innings together and bat deep. This absence proved to be a critical factor, as Babar Azam’s men, led by the astute bowling of Sufiyan Muqeem, were able to regularly puncture through the Sultans’ batting line-up with timely wickets.

Even so, the Sultans appeared to be on track for portions of the chase, thanks to breezy contributions from their captain Ashton Turner and the aggressive Shan Masood. Masood, in particular, looked dangerous, taking down Aamer Jamal in an exhilarating over that yielded 21 runs, momentarily shifting the momentum in the Sultans’ favour and edging them ahead of the required rate. His fearless approach and powerful hitting offered a glimpse of hope for the Multan faithful.

Zalmi’s Bowling Masterclass Seals the Deal

However, in what proved to be a masterstroke from captain Babar Azam, he turned to the veteran Iftikhar Ahmed and his ‘golden arm’. This tactical move paid dividends immediately, with Iftikhar drawing Masood into a miscue at deep cover. Masood, who had smashed 35 runs off just 19 balls, departed at a crucial juncture, leaving the Sultans with a significant challenge and limited firepower remaining in their arsenal. His dismissal heralded the beginning of the end for the Sultans’ resistance.

What followed was an extraordinary display of death bowling, arguably among the best seen this season. Nahid Rana, bowling with exceptional pace and accuracy, completely shut down the Sultans’ chase. In the 17th and 19th overs, Rana conceded a mere eight runs combined, while picking up a couple of crucial wickets. Consistently exceeding 147 kph, his Yorkers and variations proved unplayable under immense pressure. The final five overs of the Sultans’ innings produced a meagre 26 runs, a testament to Zalmi’s disciplined and high-quality bowling. Ultimately, Multan Sultans finished their innings at 172 for 8, falling short by 24 runs.

Implications for the League Standings

This comfortable victory, which had looked anything but assured just 20 minutes earlier, firmly established Peshawar Zalmi’s credentials as the team to beat in the PSL. Kusal Mendis’s consistent brilliance, complemented by the explosive starts from Haris and the clinical death bowling of Muqeem and Rana, underscores a well-rounded and formidable Zalmi side. Their unbeaten start to the season continues, sending a clear message to their competitors. For Multan Sultans, while they showed glimpses of their potential, the inability to find a sustained anchor in their chase, combined with Zalmi’s superior execution in the crucial moments, meant they had to concede defeat. Zalmi’s comprehensive performance in this top-of-the-table clash reinforced their position at No. 1, highlighting their dominance in the tournament thus far.