ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi suffered yet another disappointment on Friday after Multan Sultans chased a formidable target of 243 runs and defeated them by four wickets in a high-scoring match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The two teams had an eight-point tie and were striving to win the game to qualify for the championship playoffs.
Zalmi’s opening batters ensured an ideal beginning to the innings before Saim Ayub (58 off 33) was caught by Abbas Afridi in the 12th over at 134 runs.
Peshawar Zalmi's captain Babar Azam (L) celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) beside teammate Rovman Powell during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) T20 cricket match between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, in Rawalpindi on March 8, 2023. (AFP/File)
Skipper Babar Azam (73 off 39) was caught behind in the very next over, though Mohammad Haris (35) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (38) continued to hit hard and made it difficult for Sultans to reduce the pace of the innings.
Peshawar, who won the toss and decided to bat, managed to hit 242 for 6 by the end of 20 overs.
Sultans lost the opening pair right at the beginning. Yet, Rilee Rossouw's century (121 off 51) helped the four-wicket victory with five balls in spare.
Zalmi also set a daunting target of 241 runs while playing Quetta Gladiators in their last match, though it became tough for them to defend the total when Jason Roy singlehandedly scored 145 off 63 deliveries.
Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United were the first teams to qualify for the tournament playoffs.
Sultans are now on the third spot on the points table.
The top four teams of the tournament will go to the playoffs, which begin from March 15.
