High Stakes for Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi at Rawalpindi
Sometimes, it takes one explosive night to turn a season around. That’s exactly what Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi want when they hit the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for Match 9 of PSL 2025. Both teams are yet to register a win, and patience among fans is wearing thin. The clash kicks off at 8:30 PM IST on April 19, giving both squads a shot at redemption in front of a stadium that keeps everyone guessing.
Multan Sultans—commanded by the ever-reliable Mohammad Rizwan—are licking their wounds after two tough losses. They went down to Karachi Kings by four wickets, and Islamabad United handed them another heavy 47-run defeat. The batting order showed sparks, but the finishing power was missing. Rizwan’s cool at the crease is welcome, but Multan need fireworks from the rest of the top order. Their bowlers have struggled at the death, leaking runs when pressure climbs.
If things look bad for Multan, Peshawar Zalmi will argue they’ve had it even rougher. Under Babar Azam’s trusted bat, they lost by a crushing 80 runs against Quetta Gladiators, then copped a more punishing 102-run bludgeoning courtesy of Islamabad United. Their bowling attack has been hammered for big totals, and their top order has wobbled—something unthinkable for a side led by Pakistan’s ace opener.
There’s more than pride at stake. Winless starts in the PSL 2025 season have left both teams glued to the bottom of the points table. The pressure is now as much mental as tactical. Peshawar’s fans want fireworks from Babar and company; Multan followers need Rizwan to rally the troops. There’s also the subplot of two captaincy styles colliding—the poised Rizwan versus the attacking Babar.
Pitch Report, Broadcast Info, and What to Expect
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is already causing headaches for coaches. The pitch looks friendly for batters at the start, letting them rack up quick runs in the first half of the game. But as the lights settle and wickets wear a bit, spinners come into play. Fingerspinners, in particular, have enjoyed noticeable turn here, often breaking partnerships just as innings get dangerous. Out of the last five matches played on this ground, only once has a team successfully chased a target. That tells you most captains may think twice before bowling first, eager to set a daunting total instead.
All eyes will be on the team sheets: will Multan shake up their underperforming middle order? Can Zalmi’s new recruits add backbone to their fast-bowling unit, which has disappointed so far? Rizwan’s tactical calls on using his spinners might dictate the outcome if the surface slows down after the first innings.
For fans in India, catching the thrill is easy. The action goes live on Sony Sports Network with every ball also streaming online via OTTplay. Engagement has shot up this season as people tune in not just for the cricket, but to watch two of Pakistan’s best modern skippers fight for their first win. Game night in Rawalpindi is rarely quiet, and this will be no exception.
So here we are: two storied teams, desperate for a spark, meeting on a pitch with more twists than a crime thriller. The wait for a win ends for one side—and the fallout of another loss could ripple all season.
