Babar’s Brilliance Breaks Sultans’ Streak: Zalmi Dominates Once More!

Multan Sultans Face Setback Against Peshawar Zalmi

In a captivating encounter during the PSL 2024, Multan Sultans faced a formidable challenge against Peshawar Zalmi, following a triumphant hat-trick of wins. Unfortunately, their winning streak was halted twice by Zalmi, marking a significant twist in the tale.

Babar Azam and Saim Ayub Shine for Zalmi

Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam’s impressive half-century and Saim Ayub’s quickfire knock, set a commanding total of 204/5. The Zalmi openers displayed their dominance early on, with Ayub’s aggressive hitting and Azam’s boundary-laden innings. The powerplay witnessed a flurry of runs, reaching 71 by the time it concluded. Despite a late fightback by Multan Sultans, highlighted by Iftikhar Ahmed and Chris Jordan’s contributions, they fell short by a mere 4 runs, finishing at 200/5.

Zalmi’s Batting Brilliance

Saim Ayub’s explosive start, coupled with Babar Azam’s steady innings, provided the foundation for Zalmi’s imposing total. Ayub’s aggressive six-hitting inside the powerplay set the tone, while Azam showcased his class with timely boundaries. The middle order, including Haseebullah Khan, Rovman Powell, and Asif Ali, added crucial runs, with Aamer Jamal’s late flourish pushing Zalmi past the 200-run mark.

Sultans’ Challenging Chase

Multan Sultans, in pursuit of the challenging target, faced early setbacks as Reeza Hendricks struggled, eventually departing for a quick 5. Mohammad Rizwan’s positive start was cut short by a run-out, leaving Sultans with a daunting task. Despite efforts from Tayyab Tahir and Dawid Malan, Aamer Jamal’s pivotal wickets in the 12th over left Sultans reeling at 91/4.

Iftikhar Ahmed’s Heroics

As the required run rate escalated, Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah fought valiantly for Sultans. Iftikhar’s remarkable innings, featuring three sixes off Jamal in the 18th over, brought Sultans back into contention. His explosive batting, including a 24-ball fifty, kept the game alive. However, despite Chris Jordan’s late onslaught, the equation proved too challenging, ultimately sealing the victory in Peshawar Zalmi’s favor.

Conclusion

The PSL 2024 clash between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi showcased the unpredictability and excitement of T20 cricket. While Sultans faced setbacks, the match unfolded as a testament to the thrilling and competitive nature of the tournament.