Farhan’s Heroics Lead Islamabad to Record-Breaking Total
Sahibzada Farhan delivered a masterclass in T20 batting as Islamabad United stormed to their second consecutive victory in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025. His electrifying 106-run innings dismantled the Peshawar Zalmi bowling attack, setting the stage for a dominant 102-run win. This victory not only strengthened Islamabad’s position in the tournament but also exposed the cracks in Zalmi’s campaign, handing them a second straight defeat.
Batting first after winning the toss, United took full advantage of a batting-friendly pitch. Though the innings started cautiously, with just three runs off the opening over, the fireworks soon began. Farhan, after finding his rhythm with a crisp boundary, unleashed a relentless assault on the Zalmi bowlers. The team racked up 73 runs in the powerplay, including a brutal 22-run over from young pacer Ali Raza.
Islamabad’s Power Hitters Dominate Zalmi Bowlers
Farhan’s century, coming off just 49 balls, was a spectacle of precision and brute force. He was ably supported by Colin Munro, who added 40 runs while playing second fiddle during the early stages and then switching gears once Farhan reached his milestone. Sufiyan Muqeem, one of Zalmi’s more dependable bowlers, bore the brunt of the assault, leaking 32 runs in two overs during the middle phase.
Despite brief resistance from Alzarri Joseph, who managed to remove both Munro and Farhan in quick succession, the damage had already been done. Islamabad stood tall at 163 with six overs still remaining.
And if Zalmi hoped for a slowdown, they were in for more punishment. The final overs saw cameos from Azam Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Jason Holder, and Ben Dwarshuis—all contributing to a staggering total of 243 for 5, the highest score in this PSL edition so far.
Zalmi Collapse Under Pressure Despite Haris’ Lone Resistance
Chasing a daunting target, Peshawar Zalmi faltered early. Their batting lineup crumbled under pressure, with Babar Azam’s early dismissal for a duck setting the tone. The star batter edged a delivery to first slip off Dwarshuis, deflating Zalmi’s hopes almost instantly. Mitchell Owen and Saim Ayub followed soon after, leaving the side tottering at 26 for 3 by the fourth over.
The only resistance came from Mohammad Haris, who played a valiant knock of 87 off 47 balls. While his innings was peppered with sixes and boundaries—including a 17-run over off Jason Holder—he lacked support from the other end. Haris’s aggressive approach briefly ignited hope, but wickets kept tumbling around him.
Imad Wasim played a crucial role in strangling Zalmi’s middle order, ending with impressive figures of 3 for 26. His nagging line and subtle variations proved too much for the batters. Shadab Khan and Dwarshuis also chipped in with timely breakthroughs, with the latter sealing the deal by bowling Mohammad Ali to wrap up the innings at 141.
United’s Tactical Brilliance and Batting Depth Shine
Islamabad United’s strategy to bat first on a flat pitch paid dividends. They maintained an aggressive tempo throughout their innings and never allowed Zalmi to settle into a rhythm. Their batting depth was on full display, with multiple players contributing significantly to the massive total.
The bowling unit, too, executed their plans to perfection. Early breakthroughs by Dwarshuis and relentless pressure from Wasim ensured Zalmi never got close to the target. Even with Haris’s fireworks, it was evident that the chase was never truly alive.
Zalmi’s Woes Continue – Time for Tactical Reassessment
For Peshawar Zalmi, the back-to-back losses are a cause for concern. While Haris’s return to form is a silver lining, the team’s over-reliance on individual brilliance and lack of cohesive performances are hurting their campaign. The batting order appears unstable, and the bowling unit lacks consistency under pressure.
Captain Babar Azam’s early dismissals in both games have also raised eyebrows, especially given the monumental targets they’ve had to chase. Zalmi will need to regroup quickly and reassess their strategy if they are to stay in contention for the playoffs.
Islamabad United – A Team to Watch in PSL 2025
With this emphatic win, Islamabad United have firmly established themselves as early favourites for the PSL 2025 title. Their explosive batting, deep lineup, and disciplined bowling attack make them a formidable unit. Sahibzada Farhan’s century will go down as one of the most impactful innings of the tournament so far, setting a high benchmark for the rest of the competition.
As the PSL heats up, Islamabad will be eager to carry this momentum forward, while Zalmi will need to address their weaknesses quickly. With plenty of cricket still to be played, fans can expect more drama, heroics, and hard-hitting action in the days to come.
