Peshawar Zalmi, captained by Babar Azam, beat Multan Sultans by 24 runs on Monday to register their fifth win of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 season in six matches. Zalmi sit at the top of the table with five wins and one draw and 11 points from 6 matches.Kusal Mendis continued his run in the tournament and helped Zalmi secure a 24-run win over Multan Sultans.Zalmi got off to a fast start as openers Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam added 48 runs.However, Babar could not find a rhythm and was dismissed for 18 off 20 balls. Babar Azam’s slow strike rate in T20s has been the subject of debate in recent times and Steve Smith, who earlier denied him a single in the Big Bash League (BBL), has been the subject of discussion in cricket circles.After the match, Babar answered questions about his strike.“You have to play differently in different counts. At that time, which guard to play, you also have to look at the scoreboard and the strike rate also creates a lot of fuss. I believe you have to assess the conditions first,” Azam said after the match.“You have to judge that the wicket is not the same every day. You cannot play the same way every day,” said Peshawar batsman Zalmi.Other batsmen scored at a faster pace on the same surface. Mohammad Haris made 38 off 17 balls while Kusal Mendis scored 68 off 40 balls.“You will face challenges, the opposition team also comes with homework, you cannot shoot your preferred shots freely (aap muhh utha ke shots nahi maar sakte). One good day things will click, otherwise you have to work (hard) for it,” he added.Peshawar Zalmi posted 196 in 20 matches. In reply, Multan Sultans made 172 for 8 in their 20 overs to lose the match by 24 runs, their second defeat of the tournament.
