Multan: In an exhilarating match at the picturesque Multan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar Zalmi emerged victorious over Multan Sultans by a narrow margin of five runs in the ninth Pakistan Super League (PSL) season.

Chasing a challenging target of 180 runs set by Zalmi, Multan Sultans put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short, losing two crucial wickets on the last two balls of the final over. Dawid Malan led the charge for Multan with an impressive 52 runs, supported by Yasir Khan’s contribution of 43 runs. However, it was not enough to secure victory for Multan Sultans.

Zalmi’s bowlers delivered a stellar performance, with Arif Yaqoob leading the pack with three crucial wickets. Luke Wood, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Salman Irshad also made significant contributions, each claiming two wickets, while Paul Walter chipped in with one wicket. Luke Wood’s exceptional all-round performance earned him the title of player of the match.

Earlier in the match, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, Zalmi’s batsmen put up a commendable display, posting a competitive total of 179/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite losing Saim Ayub early in the powerplay, Haseebullah Khan top-scored with 37 runs, followed by skipper Babar Azam’s contribution of 31 runs.

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With this victory, Multan Sultans maintain their undefeated streak and lead the table with six points. Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi, after securing their first win of the season, find themselves at the bottom of the standings after losing both of their matches.

The match showcased thrilling cricketing action and kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very end, highlighting the competitive spirit of the PSL season 9.