WEBDESK: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season continues with a must-win match between Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Both teams have lost their first two matches, and tonight’s clash is crucial for turning their season around.
Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans is more than just a regular match – it’s a battle for survival in the league. Zalmi has struggled both with bat and ball, failing to put up strong performances. Meanwhile, Multan Sultans have shown moments of promise but haven’t managed to close out games successfully.
Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, have started poorly in the competition. With major under-performers like Tom Kohler-Cadmore under scrutiny, Zalmi are expected to reshuffle their pack. A possible inclusion of spinners Arif Yaqoob and Mehran Mumtaz, as well as a fast-bowling change involving Luke Wood, might inject the much-needed spark. Babar Azam will be looking to get back in his groove after failing to score big in the first two games. If Peshawar have any chance of winning, it would come from Babar Azam and Saim Ayub coming up big with the bat.
The Sultans are relying heavily on captain Mohammad Rizwan to deliver again, as other key batters like Usman Khan and Shai Hope have yet to fire. Their bowling unit has also lacked the edge needed to defend totals or restrict the opposition. Promising names like Tayyab Tahir and Yasir Khan remain underutilised, while all-rounders Iftikhar Ahmed and Michael Bracewell are still struggling to make an impact with ball or bat.
Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans head to head
Multan Sultans have dominated this fixture against Karachi Kings 11-05. Both sides went head to head three times last season with Peshawar Zalmi winning the first two games before losing in the playoff game to Multan Sultans.
Head to head:
Multan Sultans (11 wins) – Peshawar Zalmi (05 wins).
Expected playing XI for Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans
Peshawar Zalmi: Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (C), Mitchell Owen, Mohammad Haris (WK), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Hussain Talat, Arif Yaqoob, Alzarri Joseph, Sufiyan Muqeem, Luke Wood, Ali Raza.
Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Shai Hope, Usman Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Usama Mir, Mohammad Hasnain, Ubaid Shah.
Weather update for Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans
Players from both teams will have one eye on the weather conditions for the game. With both teams at the bottom of the table, having lost both their opening games, Saturday’s match-up holds monumental significance.
With the looming threat of a thunderstorm in Rawalpindi at the time of the match, it might derail any plans that either team would’ve had.
According to the weather forecast, there is a high probability of rain with thunderstorms in Rawalpindi during the match.
With both teams at the bottom of the points table, the Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans encounter is a golden opportunity for one of them to climb out of the danger zone and keep playoff hopes alive.
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