Peshawar keep playoff hopes alive with 6-wicket win over Islamabad

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi boosted their playoff aspirations with a comprehensive six-wicket victory over table-toppers Islamabad United in the 22nd match of Pakistan Super League 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday night.

This win marks the second consecutive defeat for Islamabad United during their Lahore leg, having previously lost to Lahore Qalandars after winning five matches in a row.

Islamabad United posted 143/9 in their allotted 20 overs, failing to capitalize on a solid opening partnership that promised a much higher total. Eventually Peshawar Zalmi surpassed the target in 16.4 overs for the loss of four wickets.

Islamabad openers Sahibzada Farhan (36 off 35 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) and Kyle Mayers (18 off 18 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) provided an excellent platform with a 58-run opening stand in 8.4 overs. However, their dismissals in quick succession triggered a dramatic middle-order collapse that saw Islamabad slump from 58/0 to 91/6 in the space of just over five overs.

Salman Agha (5), Colin Munro (11), captain Shadab Khan (15), Saad Masood (1), and Azam Khan (8) all failed to make significant contributions as Islamabad’s innings faltered badly in the middle phase.

It was left to Ben Dwarshuis to stage a rescue act with an unbeaten 33 off just 17 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes), providing some late momentum to lift the total to 143. His powerful hitting in the death overs salvaged what could have been an even more disappointing total for the table-toppers.

Peshawar Zalmi’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Mohammad Ali, who returned impressive figures of 3/26, dismantling Islamabad’s middle order with precision. He received excellent support from Saim Ayub and Hussain Talat, who both claimed economical figures of 1/16. Luke Wood (1/26), Alzarri Joseph (1/29), and Ahmed Daniyal (1/29) all chipped in with crucial wickets to maintain pressure throughout the innings.

Chasing 144 for victory, Peshawar Zalmi suffered early setbacks, losing Mitchell Owen (6 off 2 balls, including a six) and Saim Ayub (1) within the first two overs to slip to 12/2. When Mohammad Haris (13, 1 four, 1 six) departed in the sixth over with the score at 38/3, Islamabad might have sensed an opportunity to defend their modest total.

However, what followed was a masterclass in controlled run-chasing as captain Babar Azam (53* off 49 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) and Maaz Sadaqat (55 off 33 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) combined for a match-defining 102-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Their alliance effectively took the game away from Islamabad United as they methodically dismantled the bowling attack.

Maaz Sadaqat was particularly impressive, scoring at a strike rate of 166.67 and providing the acceleration needed in the middle overs. His aggressive fifty complemented Babar’s more measured approach perfectly, ensuring the required run rate was always under control.

Though Sadaqat fell with victory in sight at 140/4 in the 16th over, Babar remained unbeaten to guide his team home alongside Max Bryant (4*). Peshawar reached their target of 144 with 20 balls to spare, finishing on 147/4 in 16.4 overs.

For Islamabad United, all four bowlers used claimed a wicket apiece - Kyle Mayers (1/28), Ben Dwarshuis (1/23), Naseem Shah (1/24), and Riley Meredith (1/30) - but they simply didn’t have enough runs to defend against the Babar-Sadaqat onslaught.

With this crucial victory, Peshawar Zalmi move to 6 points with three matches remaining in their campaign, keeping their playoff hopes very much alive. For Islamabad United, despite the loss, they remain at the top of the table with 10 points, though they’ve now suffered back-to-back defeats in Lahore after winning five consecutive matches earlier in the tournament.

Peshawar’s remaining three fixtures will now be critical as they look to secure a place in the playoffs, while Islamabad will be eager to arrest their mini-slump and confirm their semifinal berth at the earliest opportunity.

Brief scores:

Islamabad United 143 for 9 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 36 in 35balls 4fours 1six, Kyle Mayers 18 18balls 2 fours 1six, Colin Munro 11, Salman Agha 5, Shadab Khan 15, Azam Khan 8, Saad Masood 1, Imad Wasim 10, Ben Dwarshuis not out 33 in 17balls 3 fours 2 sixes, Naseem Shah 1; Luke Wood 1-26, Alzarri Joseph 1-29, Mohammad Ali 3-26, Ahmed Daniyal 1-29, Saim Ayub 1-16, Hussain Talat 1-16)

Peshawar Zalmi 147 for four in 16.4 overs (Mitchell Owen 6, Saim Ayub 1, Babar Azam not out 53, Mohammad Haris 13, Maaz Sadaqat 55, Max Bryant not out 4, Kyle Mayers 1-28, Ben Dwarshuis 1-23, Naseem Shah 1-24, Riley Meredith 1-30) Peshawar Zalmi won by six wickets with balls to spare.