In Match 9 of the ongoing Pakistan Super League Season (PSL) X, Peshawar Zalmi (PZ) will take on Multan Sultans (MS) at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on April 19, 2025.
Match Preview:
Both teams are off to a shaky start this PSL season, having lost two games each, and will be desperate to secure their first win. Multan Sultans, last season’s finalists and known for their dominant group-stage performances, will be eager to climb up the points table and regain momentum. On the other hand, Peshawar Zalmi, reeling from back-to-back heavy defeats, will be looking to bounce back strong and reignite their campaign with a much-needed victory.
For Peshawar Zalmi, a lot hinges on their captain and star batter, Babar Azam. He’s yet to find his rhythm this season, struggling in both matches so far. If Zalmi is to turn things around, they’ll need Babar to lead from the front—starting with a strong performance against Multan Sultans. Another key player is the explosive left-hander Saim Ayub, who is slowly regaining form after returning from injury. His aggressive approach in the powerplay could lay the foundation for Zalmi’s batting success. A silver lining from their previous clash against Islamabad United was the return to form of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris, which adds some much-needed spark to the top order.
However, Zalmi’s biggest concern lies in their bowling department. The bowlers have been completely off-color this season, conceding a massive 243 and 216 runs in their first two outings. If they are to stay in contention, a major turnaround with the ball is absolutely essential.
For Multan Sultans, their bowling department has been a major concern as well. In their opening match, they failed to defend a massive 234 at the National Stadium, and in the second game, they conceded over 200 runs again—this time against Islamabad United at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. But beyond just the bowling, questions are starting to emerge around Mohammad Rizwan’s captaincy and tactical decisions. In the previous game, for instance, Rizwan opted to bowl Michael Bracewell during the powerplay—even with pace options like Mohammad Hasnain and Ubaid Shah available—against Sahibzada Farhan, a batter known for his strength against spin. That decision backfired, allowing Farhan to find early momentum and swing the game in Islamabad’s favor within the first six overs.
The last time these two sides met was in the Qualifier of the previous season, after both teams finished at the top of the table. Multan Sultans dominated that clash, cruising to a 7-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi. The victory was set up by impressive spells from Chris Jordan and Usama Mir, who kept Zalmi’s batters in check. Later, it was Iftikhar Ahmed’s explosive cameo, unbeaten 22 off just 8 balls, that sealed the deal and propelled Multan straight into the final.
Probable Playing XI:
Multan Sultans:
Shai Hope, Usman Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Usama Mir, Mohammad Hasnain, Ubaid Shah
Peshawar Zalmi:
T Kohler-Cadmore, Mohammad Haris (wk), Babar Azam (C), Max Bryant, Saim Ayub, Hussain Talat, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammad Ali, Sufyan Moqim, Ali Raza, Mitchell Owen
Pitch and weather report:
The pitch at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is known for its true pace and bounce, allowing batters to play through the line with confidence. However, early on with the new ball, pace bowlers can find some assistance as the surface offers a bit of seam movement, especially during the powerplay. Due to the likelihood of dew later in the evening, chasing has traditionally been the favored option at this venue. The average first-innings score of around 171 points to a well-balanced contest between bat and ball.
As for the weather, Saturday is expected to be slightly cloudy. While there is a chance of rain in the early morning hours, conditions during the match are likely to remain dry. The temperature is expected to hover around a comfortable 29°C, with humidity at approximately 45%.
Head-to-head record:
In their head-to-head encounters in the Pakistan Super League, Multan Sultans have had a clear upper hand, winning 11 out of the 16 matches played against Peshawar Zalmi. In contrast, Zalmi has managed to win just 5.
Prediction:
Given their dominant head-to-head record, Multan Sultans head into the upcoming clash as favorites against Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League.
Where to Watch:
Pakistan (TV): A Sports HD, PTV Sports
Pakistan (Live Streaming): tapmad, Tamasha, Daraz, myco, bogn
UK: Sky Sports, Geo News (Sky 734)
North America: Willow
Africa: SuperSport
MENA Region: myco
Bangladesh: T Sports
India (Linear TV): Sony Sports Network
India (Digital): FanCode
Sri Lanka & Afghanistan: Sony Sports Network
Rest of the World: Sports Central
