Kamal Ghorui
Captained by Babar Azam, Peshawar Zalmi on Monday defeated Multan Sultans by 24 runs to register their fifth win of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 season in six matches. Zalmi sit on top of the points table with five wins and one no result and 11 points in 6 matches.Kusal Mendis continued his run in the tournament and helped Zalmi secure a 24-run win over Multan Sultans.Zalmi had a quick start with openers Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam adding 48 runs.Babar, however, could not find rhythm and was dismissed for 18 off 20 balls. Babar Azam’s slow strike rate in T20s has been a topic of discussion in the recent times, and Steve Smith denying him single in the Big Bash League (BBL) earlier was a topic of discussion in cricketing circles.After the match, Babar responded to questions on his strike rate.“You have to play differently at different numbers. At that time, what kind of guard to play, you also have to look at the score board, and the strike rate also creates a lot of fuss. My belief is that you first have to assess the conditions,” Azam said after the match.“You have to assess that every day the wicket is not the same. Every day you cannot play the same way,” the Peshawar Zalmi batter said.Other batters scored at a faster pace on the same surface. Mohammad Haris made 38 off 17 balls, while Kusal Mendis scored 68 off 40 balls.“You will face challenges, the opposition team also comes having done their homework, you cannot hit your preferred shots freely (aap muhh utha ke shots nahi maar sakte). On one good day things will click, otherwise you have to work (hard) for it,” he added.Peshawar Zalmi posted 196 in 20 overs. In reply, Multan Sultans made 172 for 8 in their 20 overs and lost the match by 24 runs, which was their second defeat in the tournament.
