PSL 11: Kusal Mendis, Muqeem Star as Zalmi Stay Top

Peshawar Zalmi continued their dominant run in PSL 11 with a 24-run win over Multan Sultans, maintaining their position at the top of the table thanks to another standout performance from Kusal Mendis.

Zalmi posted 196 for 6 before restricting Multan Sultans to 172 for 8, with Mendis leading the way with the bat and Sufiyan Muqeem delivering a decisive spell with the ball.

Haris blitz sets the tone

Asked to bat first in match no. 22 between the top two sides, Zalmi got off to a flying start through Mohammad Haris.

He struck boundaries off the first two deliveries of the innings and took on Mohammad Nawaz, smashing him for three sixes in a single over. Haris raced to 38 off just 17 balls before falling in the fifth over, giving Zalmi early momentum.

Babar Azam, however, struggled for fluency and managed 18 off 20 balls before being dismissed.

Kusal anchors Zalmi innings

After the early surge, Kusal Mendis took control of the innings with a composed yet impactful 68 off 40 balls.

He initially built his innings steadily before accelerating with two sixes off Arafat Minhas. Mendis brought up his third fifty-plus score of the campaign by targeting Mohammad Wasim, striking three boundaries in an over.

He was well supported by Farhan Yousaf in a 63-run partnership, while Michael Bracewell and Iftikhar Ahmed added valuable cameos to push Zalmi to a strong total of 196 for 6.

Muqeem and bowlers control chase

Multan Sultans kept pace in the early stages of the chase, with Josh Philippe and Steven Smith ensuring the required rate stayed within reach.

Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed early for 17 off 10 balls by Iftikhar Ahmed, but contributions from Ashton Turner and Shan Masood kept Sultans in contention.

Masood played an aggressive knock of 35 off 19 balls, including a 21-run over off Aamer Jamal that briefly shifted momentum in Multan’s favour.

However, his dismissal — caught off Iftikhar — proved to be the turning point, as Sultans lost their grip on the chase.

Sufiyan Muqeem led Zalmi’s bowling effort with figures of 3 for 30, consistently breaking partnerships and preventing any sustained push.

Nahid seals it at the death

With the game still in the balance entering the final overs, Nahid Rana delivered a decisive spell at the death.

He conceded just eight runs across the 17th and 19th overs while picking up key wickets and regularly bowling above 147 kph. The final five overs yielded only 26 runs, effectively shutting the door on Multan Sultans.

Despite early resistance, Sultans could only manage 172 for 8, falling short by 24 runs.

What this means

Peshawar Zalmi’s all-round performance reinforces their status as the team to beat in PSL 11, with consistent contributions across batting and bowling. For Multan Sultans, the defeat highlights the need for a stabilising presence in the middle overs as they look to keep pace at the top of the standings.

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