Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi: PSL 2025 Match Analysis

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The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is one of the most exciting cricket tournaments in the world, and matches between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi are always a treat for fans. These two teams have a strong rivalry, and their games are full of thrilling moments. In this article, we’ll dive into the latest updates from their PSL 2025 encounters, focusing on their most recent clash on May 2, 2025, and their earlier match on April 14, 2025. We’ll break down the games in simple English, covering key moments, player performances, team strategies, and what these results mean for both teams. This detailed analysis will be easy to understand for Pakistani readers and will cover everything you need to know about these exciting matches.

Background of the Rivalry

Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi are two of the strongest teams in PSL history. Islamabad United, led by Shadab Khan, are the defending champions of PSL 2024 and have won the title twice (2016 and 2018). Peshawar Zalmi, captained by Babar Azam, won the PSL in 2017 and are known for their aggressive batting and talented players. Both teams have a huge fan base in Pakistan, and their matches are like a festival for cricket lovers.

In PSL 2025, both teams faced each other twice during the league stage. The first match was on April 14, 2025, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and the second was on May 2, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. These games showed the strengths and weaknesses of both teams and gave fans plenty of memorable moments. Let’s look at each match in detail.

Match 5: April 14, 2025 – Islamabad United’s Big Win

The first clash between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2025 was a one-sided affair. Islamabad United completely dominated the game, winning by 102 runs. This match took place at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and it was a perfect example of how strong Islamabad can be when their batting and bowling click together.

Toss and Team Line-ups

Islamabad United’s captain, Shadab Khan, won the toss and chose to bat first. This was a smart decision because the pitch at Rawalpindi is known to be good for batting, especially in the first innings. Islamabad fielded a strong team with players like Sahibzada Farhan, Andries Gous, Colin Munro, and bowlers like Naseem Shah and Imad Wasim. Their full squad was:

• Islamabad United: Andries Gous, Sahibzada Farhan, Colin Munro, Salman Agha, Azam Khan (wk), Shadab Khan (c), Jason Holder, Imad Wasim, Saad Masood, Naseem Shah, Ben Dwarshuis.

Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, had a balanced team with big names like Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, and Alzarri Joseph. Their squad was:

• Peshawar Zalmi: Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Mitchell Owen, Hussain Talat, George Linde, Alzarri Joseph, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Ali, Ali Raza.

Islamabad United’s Batting: Sahibzada Farhan’s Century

Islamabad United’s batting was the highlight of the match. They posted a massive total of 243/5 in 20 overs, thanks to an explosive century by Sahibzada Farhan. Farhan scored 106 runs off just 52 balls, hitting boundaries and sixes all around the ground. His innings included a mix of elegant cover drives and powerful lofted shots, making it tough for Zalmi’s bowlers to stop him.

Farhan started strongly, racing to 47 off 21 balls in the powerplay (first 6 overs). Even after losing his opening partner, Andries Gous, early, Farhan kept attacking. He built a 100-run partnership with Colin Munro, who scored a steady 40 runs. Munro played a supporting role, allowing Farhan to dominate the bowling. Later, Salman Agha (30 runs) and Azam Khan added quick runs, while Jason Holder (20* off 11) and Ben Dwarshuis (18* off 6) finished the innings with a bang.

Peshawar Zalmi’s bowlers struggled to contain Islamabad. Alzarri Joseph and Hussain Talat took 2 wickets each, but they were expensive, conceding 39 runs each in their 4 overs. Young spinner Sufiyan Muqeem was hit for 16 runs in one over, and the Zalmi bowlers couldn’t find a way to slow down Islamabad’s scoring rate.

Peshawar Zalmi’s Chase: Mohammad Haris Fights Alone

Chasing 244 runs was always going to be tough for Peshawar Zalmi, and their innings got off to a terrible start. Islamabad’s bowlers, led by Naseem Shah and Ben Dwarshuis, struck early. Babar Azam, Zalmi’s biggest hope, was dismissed for just 1 run in the first over, caught at slip off Dwarshuis. Mitchell Owen (6 runs) and Saim Ayub (13 runs) followed soon after, leaving Zalmi at 26/3 in 3.5 overs.

Mohammad Haris tried to fight back with a brilliant 87 runs off 47 balls. He hit powerful shots, including fours and sixes off Dwarshuis and Jason Holder. However, none of the other Zalmi batsmen could support him. Tom Kohler-Cadmore (10 runs), Hussain Talat (8 runs), and George Linde (4 runs) all fell quickly, unable to handle Islamabad’s bowling attack.

Imad Wasim was the star bowler for Islamabad, taking 3 wickets for 26 runs. His clever variations and tight line made it hard for Zalmi’s batsmen to score. Shadab Khan and Ben Dwarshuis took 2 wickets each, while Naseem Shah bowled a brilliant opening spell, conceding just 4 runs in his first over. Peshawar Zalmi were bowled out for 141 in 18.2 overs, losing by 102 runs.

Key Moments and Player of the Match

• Sahibzada Farhan’s Century: Farhan’s 106 off 52 balls set the tone for Islamabad’s huge total. He was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
• Early Wickets: Islamabad’s bowlers struck in the first over, removing Babar Azam and putting Zalmi under pressure.
• Mohammad Haris’ Lone Effort: Haris’ 87 was the only bright spot for Zalmi, but it wasn’t enough to challenge Islamabad’s massive total.
• Imad Wasim’s Bowling: Imad’s 3 wickets, including Haris’ dismissal, sealed the game for Islamabad.

What This Match Meant

This win was Islamabad United’s second straight victory in PSL 2025, taking them to the top of the points table with 4 points. Their batting depth and bowling strength were on full display, showing why they are defending champions. For Peshawar Zalmi, it was their second loss in a row, putting them at the bottom of the table. Babar Azam admitted that his team didn’t execute their plans well, especially in the powerplay, and needed to regroup quickly.

Match 22: May 2, 2025 – Peshawar Zalmi’s Comeback

The second meeting between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2025 was a completely different story. Played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, this match saw Peshawar Zalmi bounce back with a convincing 6-wicket win, chasing down Islamabad’s total of 144 with 20 balls to spare. This game showed Zalmi’s ability to learn from their earlier mistakes and put pressure on a strong Islamabad side.

Toss and Team Line-ups

Islamabad United won the toss again and chose to bat first. The pitch at Gaddafi Stadium was slightly slower, and Islamabad made a few changes to their team, bringing in Kyle Mayers and Riley Meredith. Their squad was:

• Islamabad United: Kyle Mayers, Sahibzada Farhan, Colin Munro, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Saad Masood, Ben Dwarshuis, Naseem Shah, Riley Meredith.

Peshawar Zalmi also made four changes, introducing Maaz Sadaqat and Luke Wood to strengthen their line-up. Their squad was:

• Peshawar Zalmi: Mitchell Owen, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Hussain Talat, Max Bryant, Maaz Sadaqat, Luke Wood, Alzarri Joseph, Ahmed Daniyal, Mohammad Ali.

Islamabad United’s Batting: A Struggle

Unlike their explosive batting in the first match, Islamabad United found it tough to score runs in Lahore. They managed only 143/9 in 20 overs, thanks to a late fightback by Ben Dwarshuis. The pitch was slower, and Zalmi’s bowlers bowled with discipline to keep Islamabad’s batsmen in check.

Sahibzada Farhan started well, scoring 36 runs, but he couldn’t convert his start into a big score. Colin Munro (14 runs), Shadab Khan (8 runs), and Azam Khan (1 run) all got out cheaply, as Zalmi’s bowlers struck regularly. Mohammad Ali was the star for Zalmi, taking 3 wickets for 26 runs, including the key dismissals of Munro and Saad Masood in the same over. Alzarri Joseph and Ahmed Daniyal also took wickets, while Hussain Talat dismissed Naseem Shah in the final over.

Ben Dwarshuis played a crucial role for Islamabad, scoring an unbeaten 33 off 17 balls. His late hitting, including 3 fours and 2 sixes, helped Islamabad cross 140. Without his contribution, Islamabad could have been bowled out for much less. The last two overs yielded 31 runs, giving Islamabad a fighting total to defend.

Peshawar Zalmi’s Chase: Babar and Sadaqat Shine

Peshawar Zalmi’s chase of 144 got off to a shaky start. Mitchell Owen hit a six off the first ball but was dismissed on the next delivery by Kyle Mayers. Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris also fell early, leaving Zalmi at 33/3 in the powerplay. At this point, Islamabad’s bowlers, led by Naseem Shah and Ben Dwarshuis, looked like they could defend the low total.

However, Babar Azam and debutant Maaz Sadaqat turned the game around with a match-winning 102-run partnership. Babar played a calm and composed innings, scoring an unbeaten 53 off 47 balls. His classy drives and steady approach kept the scoreboard ticking. Maaz Sadaqat, playing his first PSL match, was the surprise package, scoring a brilliant 55 off 33 balls. His aggressive shots, including boundaries and sixes, took the pressure off Babar and put Zalmi in control.

Naseem Shah dismissed Sadaqat in the 16th over, but by then, Zalmi needed just a few runs to win. Max Bryant hit the winning boundary, and Zalmi finished at 147/4 in 16.4 overs, winning by 6 wickets with 20 balls to spare.

Key Moments and Player of the Match

• Mohammad Ali’s Bowling: Ali’s 3 wickets, including two in one over, put Islamabad under pressure and restricted them to 143.
• Babar and Sadaqat’s Partnership: The 102-run stand between Babar Azam and Maaz Sadaqat was the turning point, guiding Zalmi to an easy win.
• Ben Dwarshuis’ Late Hitting: Dwarshuis’ unbeaten 33 gave Islamabad a fighting total, but it wasn’t enough.
• Maaz Sadaqat’s Debut: Sadaqat’s 55 earned him the Player of the Match award, marking him as a rising star for Zalmi.

What This Match Meant

This win was a huge boost for Peshawar Zalmi, who had struggled earlier in the tournament. It moved them up to fifth on the points table and kept their playoff hopes alive. Babar Azam’s leadership and Sadaqat’s debut performance showed that Zalmi could compete with the best. For Islamabad United, it was their second straight loss, dropping them from the top of the table. Despite the defeat, their bowling showed fight, and they remained a strong contender for the playoffs.

Comparing the Two Matches

The two matches between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2025 were very different. In the first game, Islamabad’s batting was unstoppable, led by Sahibzada Farhan’s century, and their bowlers dominated Zalmi’s chase. The second game saw Zalmi’s bowlers, especially Mohammad Ali, restrict Islamabad to a low total, and their batsmen, led by Babar and Sadaqat, chased it down easily.

Key Differences

• Batting Performance: Islamabad scored 243/5 in the first match but only 143/9 in the second. Zalmi’s batting collapsed to 141 in the first game but chased 144 comfortably in the second.
• Bowling Discipline: Zalmi’s bowlers were expensive in the first match, conceding 243 runs. In the second match, they bowled tightly, with Mohammad Ali leading the way.
• Key Players: Sahibzada Farhan and Imad Wasim were the stars for Islamabad in the first match, while Babar Azam and Maaz Sadaqat shone for Zalmi in the second.

Team Strategies

• Islamabad United: In the first match, Islamabad relied on aggressive batting to set a big total and used their bowling depth to defend it. In the second match, their batting struggled on a slower pitch, and they couldn’t find momentum.
• Peshawar Zalmi: Zalmi’s bowling was poor in the first match, but they improved in the second, using disciplined bowling to restrict Islamabad. Their batting relied on Babar’s experience and Sadaqat’s aggression to chase the target.

Player Performances Across Both Matches

Let’s look at the standout players from both teams in these matches:

Islamabad United

• Sahibzada Farhan: Scored a century (106) in the first match and 36 in the second, proving he’s a key batsman for Islamabad.
• Ben Dwarshuis: Took 2 wickets and scored an unbeaten 18 in the first match, then scored an unbeaten 33 and took 1 wicket in the second. He’s a valuable all-rounder.
• Imad Wasim: Took 3 wickets in the first match and played a supporting role in the second, showing his importance as a spinner and lower-order batsman.
• Naseem Shah: Bowled tightly in both matches, taking key wickets and keeping the runs down in the powerplay.

Peshawar Zalmi

• Babar Azam: Struggled in the first match (1 run) but bounced back with an unbeaten 53 in the second, leading his team to victory.
• Maaz Sadaqat: Made a stunning debut in the second match, scoring 55 and earning the Player of the Match award.
• Mohammad Haris: Scored a fighting 87 in the first match but couldn’t repeat the performance in the second.
• Mohammad Ali: Took 3 wickets in the second match, playing a crucial role in restricting Islamabad.

Impact on PSL 2025 Standings

After these two matches, Islamabad United remained a strong team in PSL 2025, despite their loss in the second game. Their big win in the first match boosted their Net Run Rate, keeping them in the top half of the points table. Peshawar Zalmi, on the other hand, needed the win in the second match to stay in the playoff race. Their earlier struggles, including two heavy losses, had put them under pressure, but the victory in Lahore gave them hope.

As of May 3, 2025, the PSL 2025 points table showed Islamabad United in a strong position, while Peshawar Zalmi were fighting to climb into the top four. Both teams have more matches to play, and their performances in these games will decide their chances of reaching the playoffs.

What’s Next for Both Teams?

Islamabad United

Islamabad United are still one of the favorites to win PSL 2025. Their batting line-up, with players like Sahibzada Farhan, Colin Munro, and Azam Khan, is explosive, and their bowling attack, led by Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, and Imad Wasim, is versatile. However, they need to avoid batting collapses like the one in the second match. Shadab Khan will focus on maintaining consistency and ensuring his team bounces back in their upcoming games.

Peshawar Zalmi

Peshawar Zalmi showed they can beat strong teams, but they need to be more consistent. Babar Azam’s form is crucial, and young players like Maaz Sadaqat and Mohammad Haris need to step up. Their bowling, led by Mohammad Ali and Alzarri Joseph, must continue to perform well to restrict opponents. Zalmi’s next matches will be critical for their playoff chances.

Why These Matches Matter to Fans

For Pakistani cricket fans, matches between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi are more than just games—they’re a celebration of cricket. Fans love watching stars like Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, and Naseem Shah in action. The rivalry between these teams brings out the best in both sides, and every match is full of drama, big shots, and brilliant bowling.

The first match showed Islamabad’s dominance, giving their fans plenty to cheer about. The second match was a proud moment for Zalmi supporters, as their team fought back and proved they’re still in the race. These games also highlight the talent in Pakistan cricket, with young players like Maaz Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan shining alongside experienced stars.

How to Watch PSL 2025

If you’re a fan wanting to catch more Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi action, here’s how you can watch PSL 2025:

• TV Broadcast in Pakistan: A Sports and PTV Sports show PSL matches live.
• Live Streaming in Pakistan: Platforms like Walee Technologies, Tapmad, Tamasha, Daraz, Myco, and Begin offer live streaming.
• International Viewing: In India, PSL matches are not live-streamed, but highlights are available on platforms like FanCode. Check local broadcasters for other countries.

Conclusion

The PSL 2025 matches between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi were a rollercoaster of emotions for fans. Islamabad United’s 102-run win on April 14 showed their championship quality, with Sahibzada Farhan’s century and Imad Wasim’s bowling stealing the show. Peshawar Zalmi’s 6-wicket victory on May 2 proved they can fight back, thanks to Babar Azam’s steady batting and Maaz Sadaqat’s explosive debut.

Both teams have strengths and areas to improve. Islamabad needs to ensure their batting doesn’t collapse on slower pitches, while Zalmi must find consistency in their performances. As PSL 2025 continues, fans can expect more exciting battles between these two teams, especially if they meet in the playoffs.

For now, Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi have given us two unforgettable matches, showcasing the beauty of T20 cricket. Whether you’re a fan of Islamabad’s aggressive style or Zalmi’s fighting spirit, these games remind us why we love the PSL. Stay tuned for more action as the tournament progresses, and let’s keep cheering for our favorite teams!