PSL 2026: Muqeem, Mendis headline Peshawar Zalmi's 24-run rout of Multan Sultans

Peshawar Zalmi registered their fourth successive win in the Pakistan Super League 2026 (PSL 2026), beating Multan Sultans by 24 runs on Monday, April 13 at National Stadium, Karachi. After being put in to bat first, Peshawar posted a massive score of 196/6 in their allotted 20 overs, riding on a half-century from Kusal Mendis.

In reply, Multan Sultans were restricted to 172/8 in their 20 overs as Sufiyan Muqeem, Iftikhar Ahmed (2/32) and Nahid Rana (2/24), ran through their batting line-up. Earlier, Mohammad Haris (38 off 17) got Peshawar off to a blazing start as captain Babar Azam (18 off 20) struggled at the other end.

Haris fell short of his half-century, falling prey to Peter Siddle (2/29), while Babar got dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz, leaving their team on 72/2 after 7.5 overs.

As both openers returned to the pavilion, Kusal Mendis and Farhan Yousaf (30 off 22) got together at the crease, adding 64 runs for the third wicket off 39 balls. In the end, valuable contributions from Michael Bracewell (14 off 8 balls) and Iftikhar Ahmed (10 off 5), guided their team past 190.

Later in the second innings, Multan lost in-form Sahibzada Farhan (17 off 10) early, who got holed out against Iftikhar Ahmed. Following his departure, Steve Smith (31 off 29) and Josh Phillipe (32 off 17), stabilised the innings with a 55-run stand off 39 balls.

Just when Multan were cruising, Sufiyaan Muqeem ended their partnership, removing both set batters in the same over. Shan Masood (35 off 19) and Ashton Turner (20 off 13) ignited some hopes with their useful partnership.

However, Peshawar were successful in nipping it in the bud and continued to chip away with wickets to stem the run flow and eventually seal a comfortable victory. 

Best Batter of the Match

Best Bowler of the Match

Player of the Match

Sufiyan Muqeem was adjudged Player of the Match for his game-changing spell of 3/30 in four overs. He dismissed both set batters, Steve Smith and Josh Phillipe, in the same over, ending a crucial partnership to help Peshawar come back into the match. The moment became the turning point of the match.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi):

The boys are performing well in all departments. We have to execute our plans and give our 100 percent in all departments. The first 6 overs I felt the ball was coming nicely on to the bat. I calculated 180-200 would be par. The old ball was stopping a little. Credit to Mendis. He has been playing well throughout the tournament. I don't have much tension about the pitch and the conditions thanks to my mates.

Losing Captain, Ashton Turner (Multan Sultans):

You know, not far off par, maybe a couple of runs more than we'd hoped for, but we're always gonna be up for the challenge. You know, the outcome of the game is such that it's a great point in the tournament for us to pause and reflect, take the learnings out of the game. You know, we've been challenged tonight. They're clearly one of the better teams in the competition. You know, but I won't let it mask some really good cricket that we've been playing so far in this campaign. Yeah, I mean, we're still trying to work out the roles for each of our bowlers. You know, we've got some flexibility because we've got, you know, three guys in the top seven who can bowl overs, so that gives us a lot of flexibility. It allows us to play an extra bowler, but sometimes too many options, that gives the captain a bit of a headache, but look with the ball, we're trying to find the recipe for success, but you know we feel like we're getting closer to it every game. You know, fair play to them. They played some really nice cricket shots tonight.