Things change quickly in the PSL, and Peshawar Zalmi have thrown the race for the 2025 playoffs wide open with a clinical six-wicket win over table-toppers Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium, leaving their mark on the latest standings.
The result doesn’t shift the picture immediately, but the margins for each team are getting smaller and smaller. For Islamabad, a second straight loss may have evaporated their invincibility, as they find themselves looking over their shoulders with Lahore and Quetta in hot pursuit.
On the field, set a modest 144 to win, Zalmi reached the target with 20 balls to spare, thanks largely to a composed unbeaten fifty from captain Babar Azam and a dazzling 55 off just 33 balls from youngster Maaz Sadaqat, who seized his opportunity with open arms.
Earlier, Islamabad struggled to find fluency with the bat after choosing to bat first. Sahibzada Farhan’s 36 was the top score in a stuttering innings that never really lifted off and Islamabad needed a late effort from Ben Dwarshuis to get to a below-par score. Mohammad Ali was the pick of the bowlers for Zalmi, taking 3 for 26 in a spell that dismantled United’s middle order. Luke Wood and Alzarri Joseph were tidy in support, while Hussain Talat and Saim Ayub chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Despite losing openers Mitchell Owen and Saim Ayub inside the first two overs of the chase, Zalmi recovered well. Mohammad Haris added a quick 13, but it was the Babar-Maaz partnership that turned the tide, putting on 102 runs for the fourth wicket. The teenager Maaz showed fearless strokeplay, lifting the run rate with aggressive intent, while Babar anchored the chase with typical control.
Islamabad’s bowlers lacked bite on the night. Naseem Shah and Ben Dwarshuis were steady, but support from the rest was lacking. Kyle Mayers, in particular, went for 28 in just two overs, while Saad Masood leaked 20 in one.
Latest PSL 2025 Standings:
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | NR | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Islamabad United | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0.774 |
| 2 | Lahore Qalandars | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 1.110 |
| 3 | Quetta Gladiators | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 1.034 |
| 4 | Karachi Kings | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 0.445 |
| 5 | Peshawar Zalmi | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 6 | -0.507 |
| 6 | Multan Sultans | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 2 | -2.597 |
Zalmi’s resurgence has come at a critical point in the season. With three group games remaining, they’re suddenly a contender for that fourth spot. Islamabad, though still leading the table, can’t afford to be complacent, especially with some tough tests in the offing. Shadab Khan’s men know all about momentum shifts, but they are on the wrong side of it this time.
They will have a chance at redemption when they face Quetta Gladiators tomorrow, who can go first on the table with a win. The battle for the playoffs is suddenly getting tighter, and the fans are the true winners here.
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