KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi defeated Multan Sultans by 24 runs in a top-of-the-table clash in the Pakistan Super League on Monday. Monday’s victory helped Zalmi open up a three-point advantage over Sultans after six matches. Zalmi take on Quetta Gladiators on Wednesday — following Tuesday’s rest day — and a win will guarantee them a play-off spot, with the knockout stage commencing on 28 April.

The stars of Zalmi’s fifth victory were Kusal Mendis and Sufiyan Muqeem. The Sri Lankan top-scored with 68 (40b, 6×4, 3×6) to help his side post 196 for six after being sent in to bat, while the fast-improving left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan took three wickets to restrict Sultans to 172 for eight.

After scoring 61 for one in the PowerPlay, Sultans were 146 for four after 15 overs — needing 51 from the last five. They managed only 26 from the remaining 30 balls, losing four wickets in the process.

Shan Masood (35), Josh Philippe (32), Steve Smith (31), Ashton Turner (20), Sahibzada Farhan (17) and Mohammad Nawaz (16) all made starts but none could convert into a winning score.

Sufiyan Muqeem caused maximum damage, dismissing Smith, Philippe and Turner to finish with three for 30 and claim the Player of the Match award. Iftikhar Ahmed accounted for Sahibzada Farhan and Shan Masood, while Nahid Rana removed Arafat Minhas and Mohammad Wasim to complete a fine all-round team performance by the 2017 champions.

Earlier, Zalmi were off to a solid 48-run start off 27 balls before Mohammad Haris departed after scoring a quickfire 38 off 17 balls with four fours and three sixes. At 72 in the eighth over, Babar Azam (18) was dismissed, bringing Mendis and Pakistan U19 captain Farhan Yousaf together.

The two put on 63 off 39 balls for the third wicket — the highest partnership of the match. The stand broke when Farhan fell to Mohammad Wasim after scoring a 22-ball 30 with three sixes.

Mendis notched up his second half-century of the tournament off 29 balls with four fours and three sixes before becoming the fifth batter dismissed, with the score on 175. Zalmi collected 21 runs off the last 12 balls to finish at 196 for six.

For Sultans, 41-year-old Peter Siddle was the most impressive bowler, claiming two for 29 from four overs. Mohammad Ismail bagged two for 22 from three overs.

Scores in brief:

22nd Match – Peshawar Zalmi beat Multan Sultans by 24 runs

PESHAWAR ZALMI 196-6, 20 overs (Kusal Mendis 68, Mohammad Haris 38, Farhan Yousaf 30, Babar Azam 18, Michael Bracewell 14; Mohammad Ismail 2-22, Peter Siddle 2-29)

MULTAN SULTANS 172-8, 20 overs (Shan Masood 35, Josh Philippe 32, Steve Smith 31, Ashton Turner 20, Sahibzada Farhan 17, Mohammad Nawaz 16; Sufiyan Muqeem 3-30, Nahid Rana 2-24, Iftikhar Ahmed 2-32)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Sufiyan Muqeem (Peshawar Zalmi)

WEDNESDAY’S FIXTURE: Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators