Showing that they are also in great form in the Pakistan Super League, Peshawar Zalmi turned in another all-action performance on Monday (March 4), beating Multan Sultans by 24 runs at Karachi’s National Stadium.
The league leaders restricted Multan to 172-8 in reply to their own 196-6 from 20 overs.
Peshawar Zalmi, with 11 points from 6 games, now head the table in the PSL, a lead of 3 over Multan.
With 7 points from 6 matches, Three-time champions Islamabad United continue to hold third place. Karachi Kings hold down fourth spot with just 6 points from 5 appearances.
The top four teams are to enter the playoffs in the eight-team competition.
It was the explosive Dandulkumbra #trending Kusal Mendis who as he made 68 off 40 balls from No 3 set up the victory for Zalmi.
Opener Mohammad Haris hit 38 off 17 balls to start the team off to a flier, however once he was out it was Mendis who won the game for them on Sunday
In their defence, Zalmi turned to Sufyan, who finished 3-30 off 4, and Ahmed, who got 2-32 off his own 4 bottom three batters.
Shan Masood top-scored for Multan with 35 but none of their batters-to lower middle order possibilities cashed in.
Australian star Steve Smith (32) and compatriot Joshua Ryan Philippe (31) were both guilty of getting started but not finishing
Sufiyan, who leads the tournament with 13 scalps, was named man-of-the-match for his three-wicket haul.
Brief scores:
Peshawar Zalmi beat Multan Sultans by 24 runs at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
Peshawar Zalmi 196-6, 20 overs (Kusal Mendis 68, Mohammad Haris 38, Farhan Yousaf 30; Mohammad Ismail 2-22, Peter Siddle 2-29)
Multan Sultans 172-8, 20 overs (Shan Masood 35, Josh Phillipe 32, Steve Smith 31, Ashton Turner 20; Sufyan Moqim 3-30, Nahid Rana 2-24, Iftikhar Ahmed 2-32)
Player of the Match: Sufyan Moqim (Peshawar Zalmi)