The 2025 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) got off to a flying start as Islamabad United, the reigning champions, stamped their authority in grand style, decimating Peshawar Zalmi by a whopping 102 runs in a completely one-sided contest. A blistering century by Sahibzada Farhan, brilliant finishing touches by Islamabad’s middle order, and a disciplined bowling performance ensured a dream start to the tournament for Shadab Khan’s men. On the other hand, Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, will need to hit the reset button quickly after suffering back-to-back crushing defeats. Let’s break down the thrilling details, key performances, match scorecard, and post-match reactions.
Match Summary: Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi Match Scorecard—PSL 2025
| Match | Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi Match Scorecard |
| Venue | National Stadium, Karachi |
| Date | July 1, 2025 |
| Result | Islamabad United won by 102 runs |
| Player of the Match | Sahibzada Farhan (106 off 52) |
Initial Over: The Blistering Islamabad United Batting: 243/5 (20 Over)
Islamabad United won the toss and decided to bat first and utilized the condition. It was one of the most spectacular master classes in batting, spearheaded by the explosive Sahibzada Farhan, who made a sensational century with only 52 balls to spare. His great stroke play and surgical timing were all present in the early days. Though there was an early dismissal of Andries Gous, Islamabad got into a flow, and despite this loss of wicket, Farhan and Colin Munro increased the total score by adding a 144-run stand within a short amount of time. With alliance of Azam Khan and Salman Agha the carnage Cricket proceeded on in the late innings and this total was well past 240-mark.
Islamabad United Innings Scorecard
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Sahibzada Farhan | 106 | 52 | 13 | 5 | 203.85 |
| Andries Gous | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Colin Munro | 40 | 27 | 6 | 1 | 148.15 |
| Azam Khan (wk) | 16 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 177.78 |
| Salman Agha | 30 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 200 |
| Jason Holder (not out) | 20 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 181.82 |
| Ben Dwarshuis (not out) | 18 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 300 |
Extras: 13
Total: 243/5 (20 overs)
Top Bowlers for Zalmi:
- Alzarri Joseph: 4-0-39-2
- Hussain Talat: 3-0-39-2
Second Innings: Peshawar Zalmi Collapse—141All Out (18.2 Overs)
Pursuing such a gargantuan run of 244 was never going to be easy and Peshawar Zalmi could not handle pressure. Babar Azam and Saim Ayub were once again out cheaply and Zalmi was routed to 26/3 at the powerplay. The only genuine opposition was made by Mohammad Haris, who made a scintillating innings of 87 in 47 balls with superlative panache and unrestrained arrogance. Nevertheless, lacking the backing of the other side, it was a losing battle in the first place. Wickets continued falling, with Imad Wasim taking 3 important wickets. Shadab Khan and Ben Dwarshuis also managed to show their brilliance regarding their control and variation. Mohammad Nawaz, the substitute fielder, also played brilliantly by taking four catches.
Peshawar Zalmi Innings Scorecard
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Saim Ayub | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 75 |
| Babar Azam (c) | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Mitchell Owen | 10 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 142.86 |
| Mohammad Haris (wk) | 87 | 47 | 12 | 4 | 185.11 |
| Tom Kohler-Cadmore | 8 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 80 |
| Hussain Talat | 13 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 118.18 |
| George Linde | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alzarri Joseph | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Sufiyan Muqeem | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Mohammad Ali | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Ali Raza (not out) | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
Extras: 9
Total: 141 all out (18.2 overs)
Fall of Wickets: 4-1, 16-2, 26-3, 67-4, 91-5, 106-6, 109-7, 130-8, 136-9, 141-10
Top Bowlers for Islamabad:
- Imad Wasim: 4-0-26-3
- Shadab Khan: 4-0-29-2
- Ben Dwarshuis: 2.2-0-23-2
What the Captains Said
Shadab Khan (Islamabad United Captain):
“Credit goes to Farhan for the hard work he has done behind the scenes. The partnerships between Colin and Farhan, and then Farhan and Salman, were crucial. This wasn’t a 240 pitch, but credit to our batters. Nawaz was the unsung hero today with his excellent fielding. We’re shaping up well for the rest of the tournament.”
Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi Captain):
“We haven’t executed our plans, neither with the bat nor with the ball. PSL is a high-pressure tournament. We’ll need to regroup and talk about where we are falling short. There’s a long way to go.”
Player of the Match: Sahibzada Farhan
A richly deserved award went to Sahibzada Farhan, who lit up the evening with his maiden PSL century. His clean hitting, composure under pressure, and ability to accelerate at will made him stand out.
“This means a lot. I want to thank Islamabad’s management for backing me. Also grateful to Fakhar Zaman for his support during domestic seasons. I hope to keep this going,” said Farhan post-match.
Key Takeaways from the Match
Islamabad United’s Depth and Strategy
- A deep batting lineup that can explode in the middle and death overs.
- Multiple bowling options provide flexibility and pressure.
- Fielding brilliance added the finishing touch.
Peshawar Zalmi’s Woes Continue
- Lack of stability at the top.
- Over-reliance on Babar and Haris.
- Bowling lacks penetration and control under pressure.
Conclusion: A Statement Victory from the Champions
In Match Of Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi Match Scorecard, Islamabad United made a bold statement in the opening phase of PSL 2025. With this comprehensive win over Peshawar Zalmi, they reminded the league why they are the defending champions. On the flip side, Zalmi will need to re-evaluate their approach and come back stronger. As the PSL continues, this game will likely be remembered as the match where Islamabad United announced their intent loud and clear.
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