Peshawar Zalmi kept their playoff hopes alive in PSL 2025 with a dominant six-wicket win over Islamabad United in Lahore. A brilliant all-round bowling effort restricted United to just 143 for 9 before Babar Azam and Maaz Sadaqat guided Zalmi to victory with composed half-centuries.
Bowlers Set the Tone
After losing the toss, Zalmi delivered one of the best bowling performances of the season. Mohammad Ali led the charge with 3 for 26, while every frontline bowler kept things tight and took wickets. Despite Islamabad reaching 57 without loss in the powerplay, their innings lost momentum quickly.
Sahibzada Farhan’s slow 36 off 35 balls hurt United’s tempo. Once he fell in the eighth over, the collapse began. Kyle Mayers added 18 but couldn’t accelerate. Salman Ali Agha was dismissed by a clever carrom ball from Saim Ayub, and United’s middle order faltered badly.
Adding to their woes, captain Shadab Khan had to leave the field with a suspected hip injury after a short-lived eight-ball cameo. Zalmi’s part-timers, Ayub and Hussain Talat, applied pressure by conceding just 30 runs in their combined four overs. United limped to 143, far below a challenging total.
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Babar, Sadaqat Lead Calm Chase
Zalmi’s chase didn’t start smoothly. They lost Mitchell Owen, Saim Ayub, and Mohammad Haris early, falling to 38 for 3. Babar Azam initially looked uncertain at the crease, but Sadaqat’s confident strokeplay settled the nerves.
The duo added 102 runs, with Sadaqat hitting elegant boundaries and Babar anchoring the innings. As United’s bowlers faded, Babar found his rhythm. He struck Naseem Shah over mid-off and cruised to his second fifty of the season. Though Sadaqat fell late in the chase, Max Bryant finished the job with ease.
United in Trouble
United’s second consecutive loss raises serious concerns. Their batting lacked intensity, and the absence of Shadab adds to their problems. Meanwhile, Zalmi’s balanced effort—sharp bowling and smart batting—keeps them in the playoff hunt and builds momentum at a crucial time.
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