Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi Beat Multan Sultans by 24 Runs.
Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans PSL 2026 Highlights: Babar Azam’s Unbeaten PSZ Seal 24-Run Victory.
In a thrilling Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 encounter at the National Stadium in Karachi on April 13, 2026, Peshawar Zalmi continued their unbeaten run with a hard-fought 24-run victory over Multan Sultans. Led by captain Babar Azam, Zalmi posted a competitive 196/6 and then restricted Sultans to 172/9 in a high-intensity contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats..jpg)
This win marked Zalmi’s sixth consecutive victory in the season, strengthening their position at the top of the points table. Babar’s calm leadership, combined with explosive batting from Kusal Mendis and clinical bowling, proved decisive.
Match Summary & Key Moments Peshawar Zalmi Innings (196/6 in 20 overs) Zalmi got off to a flying start with Mohammad Haris smashing a quickfire 38 off 17 balls. Kusal Mendis then took center stage, blasting a sensational 68 off just 40 deliveries, laced with powerful strokes. Babar Azam played a steady anchor role with 18 runs, while a late cameo from Fakhar Zaman (30 off 22) propelled the total past 190. Multan Sultans fought back with the ball, led by Mohammad Nawaz and Peter Siddle, who picked up crucial wickets. However, the Zalmi middle order held firm.
Babar Azam Smashes Another T20 Record in PSL 11
Multan Sultans Innings (172/9 in 20 overs) Chasing 197, Sultans started aggressively but lost wickets at regular intervals. Steve Smith and Sahibzada Farhan provided stability, but the middle order collapsed under pressure from Zalmi’s pace attack. Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam bowled fiery spells, while Sufiyan Muqeem’s spin variations were effective in the middle overs. Ashton Turner’s side fell short despite a late fight.
Babar Azam’s tactical acumen shone through, as he rotated bowlers perfectly and marshaled his fielders with precision.
Peshawar Zalmi Playing XI & Performance Analysis Babar Azam (c): Steady 18 runs + outstanding captaincy Mohammad Haris: Explosive 38 off 17 Kusal Mendis (wk): Match-defining 68 off 40 Michael Bracewell: All-round contribution Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad: Middle-order stability Aamer Jamal: Useful lower-order hitting Sufiyan Muqeem: Economical spin Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana, Khurram Shahzad: Pace battery that dismantled Sultans.Standout Performers for Zalmi Kusal Mendis earned Player of the Match for his aggressive knock that set the platform. Nahid Rana’s express pace troubled the Sultans batters throughout. Babar’s captaincy was widely praised as “top-class.”
Stunning Batting By Babar Azam | Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans | Match 21 | HBL PSL 9.
Multan Sultans Playing XI & Struggles
Sahibzada Farhan
Steve Smith
Josh Philippe (wk)
Shan Masood
Ashton Turner (c)
Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Nawaz
Peter Siddle, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Mohammad Ismail, Faisal Akram
Sultans’ top order showed promise, but the lack of momentum in the death overs and inability to handle Zalmi’s varied bowling attack were key factors in their defeat.
Steve Smith’s experience helped stabilize, but the required run rate climbed too steeply.
Tactical Breakdown & Turning Points
Powerplay Dominance — Zalmi scored heavily in the first six overs thanks to Haris and Mendis.
Babar’s Anchor Role — His presence calmed the innings after early momentum.
Death Overs Acceleration — Fakhar Zaman’s cameo added crucial runs.
Bowling Masterclass — Rana’s short balls and Muqeem’s variations choked the Sultans’ scoring.
Fielding Brilliance — Zalmi’s sharp catching and athletic efforts restricted boundaries. The match showcased high-quality T20 cricket with big sixes, yorkers, and strategic battles between bat and ball.
Historical Context: Head-to-Head Record
Before this match, the two sides had played 18 encounters, with Multan Sultans leading 11-7. This victory narrowed the gap and boosted Zalmi’s confidence heading into the business end of the tournament. The rivalry remains one of the fiercest in PSL, known for producing entertaining contests.
Player Form Spotlight
Babar Azam: Continues to lead from the front despite national team setbacks. His consistency and leadership have been Zalmi’s biggest assets.
Kusal Mendis: In red-hot form, proving to be a game-changer with the bat.
Nahid Rana: Emerging as one of the most feared pacers in the league.
Steve Smith & Shan Masood: Provided resistance for Sultans but needed more support.
Broader Implications for PSL 2026 This result keeps Peshawar Zalmi at the top of the table with an unbeaten record, sending a strong message to other teams. Multan Sultans drop points but remain in contention with their strong squad depth. The win highlights the importance of batting depth and quality pace bowling in modern T20 cricket. Fans at the National Stadium in Karachi created an electric atmosphere, with yellow Zalmi jerseys dominating the stands. The renovated venue provided a perfect backdrop for this clash.
Post-Match Reactions
Babar Azam after the match: “The boys showed great character. We knew it would be tough against Multan, but everyone contributed. Credit to the bowlers for executing the plans perfectly.”
Ashton Turner expressed disappointment but praised his team’s fight: “We got close but Zalmi were clinical. We need to bounce back quickly.”
Looking Ahead Zalmi will aim to maintain their unbeaten streak in upcoming fixtures, while Sultans will look to regroup and target wins against lower-table sides. With playoffs approaching, every point and net run rate matters. This 24-run victory will be remembered as one of the standout performances of PSL 2026, underlining Babar Azam’s captaincy brilliance and Peshawar Zalmi’s dominance this season. Full Scorecard Snapshot Peshawar Zalmi: 196/6 (20 overs) Multan Sultans: 172/9 (20 overs) Margin: Zalmi won by 24 runs.
The electrifying contest at Karachi’s National Stadium once again proved why PSL remains one of the most exciting T20 leagues in the world. Babar’s Zalmi march on — unbeaten and unstoppable!
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