Karachi, April 13, 2026: An unbeaten half-century from wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis powered Peshawar Zalmi to a strong total of 196/6 against Multan Sultans in the 22nd match of the Pakistan Super League Season 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Monday.
Sultans captain Ashton Turner opted to field first, but the decision backfired as Zalmi’s batting unit capitalized on a solid start to post a challenging target.
Zalmi’s innings began aggressively, with openers Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam putting together a 48-run partnership in quick time. Haris was the more dominant of the two, smashing 40 off just 17 balls, including four sixes and three boundaries, before being dismissed by Peter Siddle.
Babar Azam then added a brief 24-run stand with Kusal Mendis before falling to Mohammad Nawaz in the eighth over after scoring 18 off 20 deliveries.
Mendis held the innings together with composure and aggression, building key partnerships in the middle overs. He first combined with emerging batter Farhan Yousaf for a 63-run stand, before Yousaf departed for a quick 30 off 22 balls, dismissed by Mohammad Wasim Jr.
The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper then added 34 runs with Michael Bracewell before both were dismissed by Mohammad Ismail in the 18th over. Mendis finished unbeaten on a commanding 68 off 40 balls, striking four boundaries and three sixes to steer Zalmi to a strong finish.
In the closing overs, Iftikhar Ahmed provided a brisk cameo of 11 off 5 deliveries to push the total further before falling in the final over to Peter Siddle. For Multan Sultans, Siddle and Ismail picked up two wickets each, while Nawaz and Wasim Jr claimed one wicket apiece. Despite their efforts, Zalmi’s strong batting depth ensured a challenging target of 197 runs for the chase.
