Kohler-Cadmore, Haris, Samad power Zalmi to 227 against Sultans

A blistering display of power-hitting from Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, and Mitchell Owen propelled Peshawar Zalmi to a formidable 227-7 against Multan Sultans in a key HBL PSL X match at the Pindi Stadium on Saturday night.

After a rocky start, Zalmi’s batters turned the tide with explosive partnerships that lit up the stadium.

Zalmi were in early trouble at 12-2 in the third over after losing Saim Ayub (2) to spinner Michael Bracewell and Babar Azam (2) to David Willey. But Kohler-Cadmore (52) and Haris (45) launched a strong counterattack.

The duo added 79 runs off just 33 balls for the third wicket. Zalmi ended the powerplay at 69-2, scoring 57 runs in the final three overs of that phase.

Haris tore into the bowlers, hitting four straight boundaries in the sixth over off Akif Javed. He smashed three sixes and four fours in his 21-ball 45 before being caught by Iftikhar Ahmed off Ubaid Shah in the eighth over.

Kohler-Cadmore continued the charge, putting together 53 off 38 balls with Hussain Talat (37). Kohler-Cadmore, dropped on 37 by Usman Khan, struck five sixes and two fours in his 30-ball knock. He was particularly dominant against spin, launching Usama Mir for three sixes and Bracewell for two.

Bracewell later removed Kohler-Cadmore, caught in the deep by Willey in the 14th over. Iftikhar then dismissed Talat, who had earlier hit a six over extra cover.

In the final overs, Samad and Owen went on a rampage. The pair added 73 runs in just 25 balls for the sixth wicket. Owen smashed 34 off 15 balls with four sixes, before being dismissed by Willey.

Samad, fresh from the New Zealand tour with Pakistan, bludgeoned 40 off 14 balls, including three sixes and four fours. He struck Akif Javed for 24 runs in the 18th over before falling to Ubaid Shah in the final over.

Zalmi were 106-3 after 10 overs and added 83 runs in the last five.

Bracewell, Willey, and Ubaid each claimed two wickets, but also took some heavy punishment. Akif Javed gave away 52 runs in his three overs.

The high-scoring effort puts Zalmi in a strong position as they aim to solidify their spot in the PSL X playoffs.