LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi kept their playoff hopes alive with a convincing six-wicket victory over Islamabad United, successfully chasing down a target of 144 in just 16.4 overs at Gaddafi Stadium in a crucial Pakistan Super League 2025 fixture.
After a shaky start that saw them lose three wickets inside the Powerplay, Zalmi were steadied by a composed partnership between skipper Babar Azam and rising talent Maaz Sadaqat. The pair added a match-defining 77-run stand to guide their side home with 20 balls to spare.
Babar Azam anchored the innings with a typically assured half-century, finishing unbeaten, while Maaz Sadaqat played a fearless supporting role, racing to his maiden PSL fifty.
His knock included two towering sixes off Kyle Mayers in the 10th over, which helped shift momentum firmly in Zalmi’s favour. At the halfway stage, Zalmi were comfortably placed at 84/3, requiring 60 runs from 54 balls at a run rate of just over 6.5.
Four off Naseem 👏#HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/B4iylNBLwA
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 2, 2025
Earlier, Islamabad United had posted a modest total of 144 for 8 after electing to bat first. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Kyle Mayers provided a cautious start, reaching 30 without loss inside four overs.
Losing wickets
However, their innings faltered mid-way, collapsing from 62/1 to 75/3 during a key passage of play between overs 9 and 11. Contributions from Ben Dwarshuis towards the end gave Islamabad some late momentum, but the total never looked daunting.
Zalmi’s chase began in dramatic fashion. Saim Ayub was dismissed in the second over, chopping onto his stumps off Dwarshuis, while Kyle Mayers struck early for United, removing Luke Owen for six after the latter had opened with a towering six.
Four off Naseem 👏#HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/B4iylNBLwA
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 2, 2025
Attempting to nudge a short delivery into the leg side, Owen instead offered a simple catch to Dwarshuis at silly mid-off.
Despite the early blows, Babar Azam remained unfazed, settling the innings with his trademark straight drive and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Imad Wasim bowled with control in his brief two-over spell, conceding just 14 runs, but it was not enough to derail the chase.
The result sees Peshawar Zalmi stay in contention for a playoff spot, while Islamabad United will be left to reflect on a missed opportunity in a pivotal encounter.
