HBL PSL X: Peshawar Zalmi registers record-breaking win over Multan Sultans

Peshawar Zalmi stormed to their first win of the HBL PSL X with a record-breaking 120-run thrashing of Multan Sultans on Saturday night at the Pindi Stadium.

The victory marked the largest win by runs in HBL PSL history, surpassing Lahore Qalandars' 119-run triumph over Islamabad United in 2023.

Zalmi's 227-7 came on the back of blistering knocks from Tom Kohler-Cadmore (52), Mohammad Haris (45), Abdul Samad (40), and Mitchell Owen (34). The team then bundled out Multan for just 107 in 15.5 overs, largely due to the sensational bowling from 17-year-old pacer Ali Raza (4-21) and leg-spinner Arif Yaqoob (3-20).

Zalmi’s innings had a shaky start at 12-2 in three overs after Saim Ayub (2) and skipper Babar Azam (2) fell early. Babar’s struggles continue, scoring just three runs in as many matches this season.

However, Tom and Haris launched a stunning recovery, adding 79 runs in just 33 balls. Haris tore into the bowling with four successive fours off Akif Javed, while Tom smacked five sixes and two fours in his 30-ball knock.

The late fireworks came from Abdul Samad and Mitchell Owen, who thrashed 73 runs off 25 balls for the sixth wicket. Fresh from a tour of New Zealand, Samad hit three sixes and four fours in a 14-ball 40. Owen added 34 from just 15 deliveries.

Multan, chasing 228, never looked in control. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan (15) fell early to Luke Wood, while Shai Hope (20) and Usman Khan (31 off 22) offered only brief resistance.

Ali Raza struck decisively in the middle overs, removing Kamran Ghulam, then Michael Bracewell and Ashton Turner off consecutive balls to put Zalmi in full command at 84-5. He later dismissed Iftikhar Ahmed (2) and Usama Mir (1).

Mitchell Owen cleaned up the tail with two late wickets to end Multan’s innings.
For Multan, Bracewell (2-37), David Willey (2-36), and Ubaid Shah (2-40) picked wickets, while Akif Javed leaked 52 runs in just three overs.

Zalmi scored 83 runs in their last five overs and looked unstoppable from the halfway point.

The record win could be a turning point in Zalmi’s HBL PSL campaign and marked a major statement from both their batting firepower and emerging bowling talent.