As the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 heads towards a gripping conclusion, Peshawar Zalmi find themselves in a precarious position, battling for a coveted playoff spot.
Positioned fifth on the points table with 6 points from 7 matches, Zalmi have three crucial games left to turn their fortunes around. With Quetta Gladiators already qualified and Multan Sultans out of contention, the race for the top four is intensifying, and Zalmi’s path to the playoffs rests on a couple of make-or-break scenarios.
Currently, Zalmi’s net run rate (NRR) of -0.507 is a concern, but their recent six-wicket triumph over Islamabad United, powered by Babar Azam and debutant Maaz Sadaqat, has injected much-needed confidence.
With matches against Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, and Lahore Qalandars still to come, Babar’s brigade must deliver when it matters most. Here’s how their playoff dreams can become reality—or crumble.
In the first scenario, Peshawar Zalmi can secure qualification by dominating their next two fixtures. If they defeat both Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans, they will climb to 10 points. Should their final game against Lahore Qalandars result in a washout, those 10 points plus a point through the washout will help them leapfrog the Qalandars and would be enough to seal a playoff berth.
This path offers a safety net, but Zalmi will need to bring their A-game against Karachi’s resurgent outfit and a desperate Multan side.
The second scenario includes a virtual knockout clash against Lahore Qalandars. If Peshawar Zalmi manage to win at least one of their games against Multan or Karachi, taking them to 8 points, they can still qualify by defeating Lahore Qalandars in their last league encounter.
A victory there would push them to 10 points, potentially overtaking Lahore (currently on 9 points) and securing a top-four finish.
However, the stakes couldn’t be higher, as failure to win either of the upcoming games against Multan and Karachi would spell disaster. Losing both would leave Zalmi stranded on 6 points, effectively knocking them out of playoff contention before their final match, regardless of the result against Lahore.
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Image credits: PCB