Karachi, April 14, 2025 – The fifth match of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season kicked off with Islamabad United winning the toss and opting to bat first against Peshawar Zalmi at the National Stadium. With both teams eager to assert dominance early in the tournament, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter as the three-time champions face a Zalmi side desperate to rebound from a faltering start.
Islamabad United, fresh off a commanding eight-wicket victory against Lahore Qalandars, are riding a wave of confidence. Their chase of 139 in the opener was clinical, marking their sixth consecutive PSL win—a streak that stretches back to their title-winning campaign last season. Led by the dynamic Shadab Khan, United’s squad has displayed a rare balance. Their batting, powered by the likes of Colin Munro and Andries Gous, clicked seamlessly in the first game, while their bowling, spearheaded by Naseem Shah, kept the opposition under pressure. For today’s match, Islamabad made tactical tweaks, introducing Saad Masood and Ben Dwarshuis in place of Riley Meredith and Muhammad Shahzad to bolster their lineup.
Peshawar Zalmi, on the other hand, are licking their wounds after an 80-run thrashing by Quetta Gladiators. Tasked with chasing 216, Zalmi’s batting imploded, collapsing to 136 all out. The defeat exposed cracks in their batting order, with a lack of cohesion evident despite boasting firepower in captain Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Mohammad Haris. Their bowling, barring a standout performance from young pacer Ali Raza, struggled to contain Quetta’s onslaught. Babar, known for his ability to anchor and accelerate, will be under pressure to lead from the front and steer his team toward redemption.
The contrasting fortunes of the two sides add intrigue to today’s matchup. Islamabad’s disciplined approach gives them an edge, but Zalmi’s explosive potential makes them a dangerous proposition on their day. United’s decision to bat first suggests confidence in their top order to set a challenging target on a pitch known to favor strokeplay early on. Zalmi’s bowlers, including Alzarri Joseph and Mohammad Ali, will need to find rhythm quickly to disrupt Islamabad’s momentum.
The playing XIs reflect both teams’ strategies. Islamabad’s lineup—Andries Gous, Sahibzada Farhan, Colin Munro, Salman Agha, Azam Khan (wk), Shadab Khan (capt), Jason Holder, Imad Wasim, Saad Masood, Naseem Shah, and Ben Dwarshuis—combines experience with versatility. Zalmi’s XI—Babar Azam (capt), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Mitchell Owen, Hussain Talat, George Linde, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammad Ali, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Ali Raza—leans heavily on their top order to deliver.
As the PSL 2025 season gathers pace, this clash promises fireworks. Will Islamabad’s winning streak continue, or can Zalmi’s big hitters turn the tide? With fans packing the stands, the battle for early supremacy is on.
