[CRK] Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans: Kusal Mendis and Muqeem Shine as Zalmi Stay No. 1
[CRK]
The Battle for the Top Spot
In a highly anticipated encounter between the tournament’s top two teams, Peshawar Zalmi emerged victorious, defeating Multan Sultans by 24 runs. The match, which served as a high-pressure clash for the same spot at the top of the standings, saw Zalmi put their unbeaten streak on the line against a formidable Sultans side. After winning the toss and opting to field, the Sultans allowed Zalmi to set a daunting target of 196 for 6.
Kusal Mendis: The Golden Man of the Match
Peshawar Zalmi’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, largely anchored by the incredible form of Kusal Mendis. While Babar Azam struggled for fluency, scoring a torrid 18 off 20 balls, the momentum shifted when Mohammad Haris ignited the start. Haris provided a blistering start, smashing 38 off just 17 balls, including three sixes off Mohammad Nawaz, before his departure in the fifth over.
Once the foundation was part set, Kusal Mendis took over. After a cautious start, Mendis accelerated rapidly, plundering boundaries and hitting two massive sixes in Arafat Minhas’s final over. His 40-ball 68 was his third fifty-plus score of the campaign, further cementing his status as one of the most dangerous batsmen in the competition. He was well supported by Farhan Yousaf, who helped build a 63-run partnership, as well as crucial cameos from Michael Bracewell and Iftikhar Ahmed, propelling Zalmi to a total of 196.
Sultans’ Chase and the Turning Point
The chase began steadily for Multan Sultans, with Josh Philippe and Steven Smith keeping the asking rate manageable during the first ten overs. However, they struggled to find a consistent anchor who could match the impact of Kusal Mendis. While Iftikhar Ahmed removed the dangerous Sahibzada Farhan (17 off 10), the Sultans’ batting lineup faced constant pressure from Zalmi’s bowling attack.
The game swung back and forth, but the Sultans appeared to be in the driver’s seat when Shan Masood launched a breathtaking attack on Aamer Jamal. Masood’s 21-run over off Jamal shifted the momentum in Multan’s favor, as he smashed 35 off 19 balls. However, in a tactical masterstroke by Babar Azam, the captain turned to the veteran Iftikhar Ahmed, who drew Masood into a miscue at deep cover, ending the Sultans’ resistance.
The Masterclass in Death Bowling
The final stages of the match were delivered a knockout blow by the young sensation Nahid Rana. In what was perhaps one of the best slog-over displays of the season, Rana utilized sheer pace, regularly exceeding 147 kph, to shut the door on the Multan Sultans. In the 17th and 19th overs, he conceded just eight runs, claiming two vital wickets.
The final five overs of the chase produced only 26 runs, ensuring a comfortable 24-run victory for Peshawar Zalmi. While the match looked competitive until the final 20 minutes, the clinical execution of the death bowling and the Sufiyan Muqeem‘s 3-30 figures kept Zalmi firmly at the top of the standings.
- Peshawar Zalmi: 196 for 6 (Mendis 68, Haris 38, Ismail 2-22)
- Multan Sultans: 172 for 8 (Masood 35, Muqeem 3-30)
