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 PSL 2025 Match 9 – Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi: A Clash of Strugglers Seeking Redemption in Rawalpindi

The Pakistan Super League 2025 has already served up its fair share of thrillers and surprises, but as Match 9 approaches, two heavyweight franchises Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi are still searching for their first win. Scheduled for April 19 at the high-scoring Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the game brings together two sides desperate to break free from the shackles of early-season blues.

A tale of poor starts and wounded reputations

Multan Sultans, under the captaincy of Mohammad Rizwan, have had a turbulent beginning to their 2025 campaign. Despite boasting a well-balanced squad, the team finds itself in unfamiliar territory sitting fifth on the points table with back-to-back losses. Their opening clash against Karachi Kings ended in disappointment as they failed to defend a 230+ score, and their follow-up match saw them crumble by 47 runs against Islamabad United. Notably, Rizwan has stood out with the bat, but lack of support in the middle and lower orders continues to undermine the team’s efforts.

Equally bruised, perhaps more so, are Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi. Sitting at the bottom of the table, Zalmi have not only lost both their games but have done so in a fashion that has battered their Net Run Rate. An 80-run defeat to Quetta Gladiators followed by a 102-run hammering by Islamabad United has exposed severe vulnerabilities, particularly in their bowling. Their star-studded top-order has failed to click, and the bowlers have been guilty of leaking runs in the powerplay and at the death.

Both teams head into this contest without a win and with pressure mounting. For either side, the result here could be the psychological shift they so badly need.

Conditions ripe for runs, but execution is key

The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has been a paradise for batters so far in this year’s PSL. With five games already played at the venue in the 2025 season, the average first-innings score stands at a staggering 204. Four of those games were won by the team batting first making the toss a significant factor. Captains winning the toss are likely to opt for runs on the board, especially considering the way the pitch tends to slow down slightly in the second innings under lights.

That said, the high-scoring nature of the venue also demands discipline and control from the bowlers. Teams that have been able to apply pressure in the middle overs and strike early have been more successful. In this context, both Multan and Peshawar need a turnaround in their bowling performance.

Spotlight on Rizwan and Joseph

When it comes to form and leadership, Mohammad Rizwan has been one of the few positives for Multan Sultans. A sublime century in the opening game followed by a quickfire 38 has kept his batting graph steady, though his strike rate has come under scrutiny. If Rizwan can anchor the innings while accelerating in the back end, Multan will always stand a chance of posting or chasing a big total.

On the bowling front for Zalmi, Alzarri Joseph holds the key. The West Indian quick has claimed three wickets so far but is yet to deliver the kind of performance he's capable of. A fierce competitor, Joseph's ability to hit the deck and bowl at pace could be critical on the Rawalpindi surface, especially during the death overs where Zalmi have bled runs in both matches.

Multan’s need for support roles to step up

While Rizwan remains the batting pillar, Multan will need contributions from Shai Hope and Usman Khan to ensure early momentum. The middle order, featuring Iftikhar Ahmed and Michael Bracewell, has looked brittle and will have to bring stability if they want to prevent collapses.

Bowling-wise, Chris Jordan and Mohammad Hasnain need to tighten their lines. Jordan, in particular, with his international T20 experience, is expected to lead the attack better than he has. Usama Mir’s leg-spin can also be a game-changer if the pitch offers any grip.

Zalmi’s top-heavy risk and middle-order mystery

Peshawar Zalmi have been overly reliant on Babar Azam, who himself has been far from fluent. Young Saim Ayub, explosive Mohammad Haris, and the seasoned Tom Kohler-Cadmore have underperformed, and that has left the middle order exposed to scoreboard pressure.

In the bowling department, there has been a complete lack of consistency. Mohammad Ali and Ali Raza have been erratic, while the spin of Sufiyan Muqeem hasn’t been able to put a lid on the scoring either. George Linde, the South African all-rounder, offers a promising balance but needs to be utilized smartly in both departments.

Head-to-head and past momentum

The head-to-head record between these two sides heavily favors Multan Sultans. Out of 16 encounters, Multan have won 11 including their last meeting on March 14, 2024, where they won convincingly by 7 wickets. This psychological edge might play a subtle role in boosting confidence, especially when both teams are otherwise low on morale.

Match prediction and likely scenarios

If Multan Sultans bat first, expect Rizwan to anchor while others aim to go big. A total around 200-210 looks par for them based on Rawalpindi conditions, which has seen such totals defended successfully. In that scenario, Multan would be favorites.

If Peshawar bat first, and their top order clicks, they can also cross 200 but they will need to bowl with much more discipline than they've shown. Their past record and form suggest Multan has a slight edge, but with Babar and Haris due for a big one, Zalmi can never be fully counted out.