While the Indian Premier League remains the most followed T20 league in the world, the Pakistan Super League on the other side of the border is laying down some first-class cricket. The timeless charm of these leagues lies in the way they make their teammates compete against one another. Last night, in Delhi, KL Rahul was competing against Virat Kohli, and the two had a slight face-off in the middle. Likewise, in the PSL as well, two of cricketing great names of Pakistan faced each other when Mohammad Amir bowled against Babar Azam in the match between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday.

Amir tested Babar severely. Amir bowled four balls to Babar, all of which tested the former Pakistan skipper. Amir's first delivery was a bouncer, hitting Babar flush on the crash helmet. The batter took a concussion test, but there was no relief. Babar could manage just one off Amir's bowling before he got out. A wicked inswinger from the left-arm pacer struck Babar on the pads, and the batter was stone dead. Up went the finger in a flash, and Babar began his walk back.

But Amir's celebration was the icing on the cake. The experienced pacer was ecstatic and rushed to the dugout of the Gladiators, where mentor Viv Richards was sitting. Amir waved his hand at Richards in joy over the wicket, but the West Indies icon advised him to remain cool, relax and keep it up. Amir ended with 1/18 but it was his teammate Faheem Ashraf, who stole all the limelight with a five-wicket-haul. Faheem picked up 5/33 off 3.3 overs as the Gladiators defeated Zalmi by a massive 64 runs. Babar, who has 117 runs, is not even among the top 10 list of highest run-getters in PSL 2025, while Amir is 12th with 7 wickets. For their teams, Zalmi is not doing well, being fourth with two wins out of six matches. The Gladiators are better off than Zalmi but still at third position with six points are not yet out of the woods.

Watch the video here

Interactions between Mohammad Amir and Sir Viv Richards after getting Babar Azam.🔥👌pic.twitter.com/bI1qKwhyjQ

— junaiz (@dhillow_) April 27, 2025

Also read: Shoaib Akhtar youtube channel banned in India after Pahalgam terror attack

Viv Richards backs Babar Azam

The West Indian legend said that Babar Azam would soon find his rhythm again. He said that a king is a monarch who reigns supreme and, regardless of how great a batter is, everyone experiences a dip in form. Richards mentioned that this was not the first time Babar was going through such a phase and expressed confidence that Babar, being an excellent player, would return to form very soon. He added that players like Kohli and Babar do justice to the game of cricket.

"Babar Azam will also get into his rhythm soon. A king is a monarch who reigns supreme. Regardless of how great a batter you are, every one experiences a dip in form. This is not the first time he is experiencing such a phase. Babar is an excellent player. I am confident he will return to form very soon. I think when you see players like Kohli and Babar, they seem to do justice to the game of cricket," Richards said.

Babar Azam's Peshawar Zalmi (PES) outclassed Saheen Afridi's Lahore Qalandars (LAH) with ease at the Gaddafi Stadium. Qalandars scored only 129 in the first innings, which was easily chased by Zalmi. Babar Azam, with an unbeaten 56, took his team safely home. 

Toss and the first innings 

PES captain Babar Azam decided to bowl first after winning the toss. The pitch was a bit tricky to bat on; bowlers got a lot of help from the surface. Player of the Match Alzarri Joseph took 3 wickets in 4 overs against 15 runs only. Zimbabwe international Sikandar Raza was the lone warrior for LAH, scoring 52 in 37 balls. 

Second inning 

Peshawar Zalmi slowly but steadily built their momentum for chasing the small target. Babar Azam's commanding role with the bat did not allow Qalandars' bowlers to spread their wings. Saheen Afridi took a brace that proved not enough to keep his team relevant in the high-voltage encounter. Babar was well accompanied by Hussain Talat, who got an unbeaten 51 off 37 balls.

Read More: [WATCH] IPL 2025: Nitish Rana takes funny catch to dismiss Devdutt Padikkal in RCB vs RR clash

Post-match reactions:

Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi skipper): "Every game is important for us, and there's no room for errors. Our bowling unit did really well in the powerplay. We worked on the plan, and I am happy as our team executed the plan well. We lost a lot of wickets, but I was confident that if the partnership with Hussain Talat continued, it would be easy for us to chase. 

Saheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars skipper): "We changed our batting line a bit. Asif Ali came first to bat as he opened a lot in domestic cricket, so we just wanted to try him as an opening batter, but things didn't work out well for us. Our luck wasn't with us tonight. We will surely make a comeback in the next game."

Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi scoreboard 

Lahore Qalandars- 129/10 (19.2)

Peshawar Zalmi- 133/3 (16.4 Overs)

Babar Azam led Peshawar Zalmi (PES) finally got their desired result by a huge margin. They defeated Multan Sultans (MS) by a whopping 120-run margin in PSL 10, game 9, in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Tom Kohler-Cadmore was the best batter of the night with 52 runs, and Ali Raza was the best performer with the ball with 4 wickets. 

Toss and the first innings 

After winning the toss, PES skipper Babar Azam didn't think twice about batting first. Babar himself scored only 2, but the middle-order batters did the job and took their team to 227 on the scoreboard. Along with Tom's 52, Mohammad Haris and Pakistani cricketer Abdul Samad scored 45 and 40 runs, respectively, accompanied by a couple of notable innings by Hussain Talat (37) and Mitchell Owen (34). David Willey claimed 2 wickets against a 9.00 economy rate, which was the best bowling figure for Multan Sultans in this match. 

Second innings 

Multan Sultans were bowled out for just 107 in 15.5 overs, facing a dramatic batting collapse. Usman Khan top-scored with 44 off 22, while Shai Hope added 20. Ali Raza was the standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets, with support from Arif Yaqoob (3) and Mitchell Owen (2). Multan lost wickets in quick succession after a decent start, struggling against tight bowling and failing to build partnerships on a good batting surface.

Read More: 'Nawabo ne Adab se haraya' -Fans react as Lucknow Super Giants win thrilling match against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025

Post-match reactions

Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans captain): "The toss wasn't that important, but we wanted to bat first. Our fielding wasn't the best today. We were in a similar position last season, but we are not thinking much and hoping for a good game soon. The home conditions don't matter, as we want to play good cricket in any conditions."

Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi skipper): "We lost two wickets initially but Mohammad Haris and Tom Kohler-Cadmore played well to pick some momentum. Ali Raza is a confident player and is always ready to learn from the senior players. The match mostly changes in the middle overs. Our bowlers bowled well to put Multan Sultans under pressure."

Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans match scorecard 

Peshawar Zalmi- 227/7 (20 Overs)

Multan Sultans- 107/10 (15.5 Overs)

Virat Kohli once again stole the spotlight—not just with his bat, but this time with a witty one-liner that’s gone viral. During a recent episode of the popular RCB Insider Show featuring Mr. Nags, Kohli delivered the phrase “Ghante ka peace,” which quickly became a hit among fans on social media. The hilarious moment occurred during a comedic segment where Kohli was portrayed in a so-called "meditative state," only to be hilariously interrupted by Mr. Nags.

As Mr. Nags attempted a friendly yet awkward embrace, Kohli’s visible discomfort set the tone for the comedy that followed. Unimpressed, Kohli pulled his hand away and instructed, “Sitting there now will work.” Nags, never one to miss a moment, poked fun by reminding Kohli of his earlier advice about showing affection to friends. Kohli's sharp response, “Love should be extended after a proper bath,” had the audience in splits.

The interaction peaked when Mr. Nags, trying to walk away to preserve the "peace," was met with Kohli’s now-iconic retort—“Ghante ka peace.” The moment not only showcased Kohli’s quick wit but also added a new catchphrase to the IPL 2025 lexicon. Fans are loving this off-field avatar of Kohli, as his charisma continues to shine both on the pitch and in front of the camera.

Watch the video here;

Virat said “ Take bath before touching me ”

Mr Nags :- “ Have peace Virat, have peace ”

Virat Kohli :- “ Arey Ghante 🔔 ka peace ”😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/pUFLxROee4

— #KohliComeBack (@LuckyyGautam18) April 15, 2025

Also read: WATCH: Shocking footage of MS Dhoni limping — Major setback for CSK’s IPL hopes?

Fans connect the remark to Babar Azam

Virat Kohli’s now-viral phrase “Ghante ka peace” sparked comparisons with the popular catchphrase “Ghante ka king,” used by a Pakistani YouTuber to mock Babar Azam’s performance. While Kohli didn’t explicitly mention Babar, many fans drew connections between the two comments, fueling widespread speculation and online debates about whether the Indian star was subtly taking a jab at his Pakistani counterpart.

On the field, Kohli continues to let his bat do the talking. With 248 runs in six matches, he stands as Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s top scorer and ranks fifth overall in IPL 2025. Maintaining an impressive average of 62 and a strike rate of over 140, Kohli has notched up three half-centuries so far this season. His consistency and form have firmly placed him in contention for the Orange Cap. Currently sitting third on the IPL 2025 points table, RCB's strong performance has been largely powered by Kohli’s brilliance. As the tournament progresses, the franchise's hopes of clinching their maiden title could heavily rest on their talisman’s continued dominance.

Virat Kohli scored another gigantic milestone in his all-time great career during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2025 encounter against the Rajasthan Royals. With a gritty and shrewd inning, Kohli scored his 100th T20 half-century, the second player in history to reach such a milestone. This uncommon moment not only helped RCB in the match but also proved why Kohli is one of the greatest players in the history of T20 cricket once again.

Let's take a glance at the top three batsmen with the highest T20 half-centuries:

3) Babar Azam – 90 Fifties

Pakistan’s Babar Azam is celebrated for his composed presence at the crease and impeccable timing. With 90 T20 half-centuries to his name, he has accumulated 11,042 runs at an impressive average of 43.13 and a strike rate of 129.32. Reaching the 50-run mark on 101 occasions, Babar has consistently shown his ability to convert solid starts into substantial scores. 

The former Pakistan skipper has struck 1,163 fours and 207 sixes, showcasing a perfect balance between classical stroke play and modern-day power hitting. Despite registering 20 ducks in T20 cricket, Babar remains one of the most reliable and consistent batters in the format. His statistics place him in elite company, often compared to global T20 icons like Chris Gayle and Jos Buttler.

ALSO SEE: [WATCH] IPL 2025: Virat Kohli asks Sanju Samson to check his heart beat during RR vs RCB clash

2) Virat Kohli – 100 Fifties

Virat Kohli reached a major milestone on April 13, 2025, by recording his 100th T20 half-century in trademark fashion. Over the years, he has amassed an impressive 13,134 runs in 405 matches, maintaining an exceptional average of over 41 and a strike rate exceeding 134. His tally includes nine centuries, reflecting his ability not only to anchor innings but also to accelerate when required.

Kohli’s career-best score of 122* perfectly demonstrates his ability to build an innings and remain unbeaten, steering his team to victory. For nearly two decades, he has been a cornerstone of both India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s batting line-ups, consistently delivering under pressure. His unmatched consistency and flair have made him one of the most admired and successful cricketers in the history of the game. Whether chasing a target or setting one, Kohli’s presence at the crease continues to be a significant advantage for his team.

1) David Warner – 108 Fifties

Australia's David Warner leads the way with a staggering 108 half-centuries. In 399 innings, he has accumulated 12,925 runs at a strike rate of 140.27. Warner is known to give quick starts as an opener and has registered 116 scores of 50+. The dashing left hand batter has scored 1,309 fours and 462 sixes, indicating that he is among the most feared hitters on earth. At a strike rate of 36.92, Warner's mix of power and maturity makes him an authentic T20 great.

ALSO SEE: Top 5 most 50+ scores in history of IPL

All three superstars have transformed our perception of batting in T20 cricket. With records falling left and right, one can just sit and admire the spectacle that these greats continue to unfold.

Quetta Gladiators (QUE) vs Peshawar Zalmi (PES), Pakistan Super League (PSL 10), Game 2, started under a blue sky and a scorching sun in Rawalpindi. The pitch looked dry, batting friendly. But PES skipper Babar Azam had different thoughts; he tried to give his bowlers a chance on a fresh wicket. Later, when the match progressed, the decision proved suitable for Gladiators.

Read More: 'I'm sorry I didn't study..'.'—Mohammad Rizwan responds after criticism over his English speaking skills

Toss and first innings 

Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to field first. In response, QUE openers Saud Shakeel (C) and Finn Allen stitched an 88-run partnership on first, where Allan contributed 53. Hassan Nawaz, who proved to be a perfect replacement for the opener, scored 41. When the team score was 151, Shakeel went for 59. Deep in the innings, Rilee Rossouw (21) and Kusal Mendis (35) hammered opponent bowlers to put a total of 216/3 on the scoreboard. 

Second innings 

The second was mainly marked for two performers— Peshawar Zalmi's opener Saim Ayub and Quetta Gladiators all-rounder Usman Tariq. Ayub was the lone man from the beginning who batted with brilliance for Peshawar, scoring 50 off 38 balls. Batting at number 4, Hussain Talat made a quick impact with a 19-ball, 35-run knock. Ayub and Talat's bravery went in vain when Tariq, in a fit of rage, halted Talat and took off with Max Bryant. Babar Azam, the captain of Peshawar Zalmi, is out for a duck. 

Post Match Presentation

Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi captain): "Our team failed to execute plans, particularly in the first six overs of both innings, where we lost crucial momentum. Although the pitch's behavior changed in the second innings, keeping low at times. Lack of partnerships and frequent wicket losses one of the main reasons for the result."

Saud Shakeel (Quetta Gladiators captain): "Our batting unit batted brilliantly and scored a substantial total, exceeding expectations by over 30 runs. The amount of experience in our squad made the job easier." 

Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi match scorecard 

Quetta Gladiators- 216/3 (20 Overs)

Peshawar Zalmi- 136/10 (15.1 Overs)

Pakistan cricket star Babar Azam recently shared his most cherished moment from the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and it wasn't for a match-winning performance or a trophy win. Instead, it was a personal one meeting his idol AB de Villiers. Babar referred to the encounter as a dream come true and shared that it left an indelible mark on him.

This occurred in 2019 when there was the PSL season in Dubai and AB de Villiers was playing for Lahore Qalandars. Babar, who had been a fan of the South African legend for years, had an admission to make that he tried to pattern his game and shot selection after de Villiers when he began his career.Their interaction was an eye-opener, as per Babar, and a memory that still glows brightly in his PSL career.

ALSO SEE: Ms Dhoni to lead CSK after Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of IPL 2025

PSL Title with Karachi Kings Another Career Highlight

Although the encounter with AB de Villiers is near and dear to Babar's heart, he also mentioned winning the PSL title with Karachi Kings in 2020 as one of his most cherished moments. In the game against Lahore Qalandars in the final, Babar delivered a match-winning 63 not out and was named Player of the Match. It was Karachi Kings' inaugural PSL title, and Babar's performance helped them win it. Babar has played for several PSL teams previously, and now he is leading Peshawar Zalmi towards the 2025 season. Along with him is young opener Saim Ayub, who has joined the team after taking some time off due to an injury, and whom the team is looking for a good season from.

ALSO SEE: End of the innings: will pucovski steps away from cricket

They will face Quetta Gladiators in their opening match on April 12 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Babar recently played for Pakistan during the recent ODI series against New Zealand and scored 129 runs in three games. Though the series was whitewashed by Pakistan, Babar's personal performance was excellent. Now that a new season of PSL is on the horizon, the fans are waiting impatiently to find out what fresh memories he will create on and off the ground.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 marks the milestone tenth edition of one of cricket’s most electrifying T20 competitions. Kicking off on April 11 and culminating in the grand finale on May 18 at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium, the tournament will feature top talent from Pakistan and abroad. With six franchises competing in a double round-robin format, fans can expect intense action across four key cities—Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi.

Among the most exciting teams this season, Peshawar Zalmi enters PSL 10 with a balanced squad brimming with experience, explosive batting, and promising young talent. Led by Pakistan’s batting maestro Babar Azam, the team will be aiming to reclaim glory and bring home their second PSL title. With a strong fan base and history of reaching playoffs, Zalmi are always a team to watch.

Also read: PSL 2025: Peshawar Zalmi Squad Complete Players List

Peshawar Zalmi Team Roster

Headed by Captain Babar Azam himself, Peshawar Zalmi's squad for PSL 10 features a powerful blend of experienced players and emerging youngsters. With the bat, they are supported by stylish and aggressive strokemakers like Battles, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and Saim Ayub. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris opens the innings with an aggressive approach, while Abdul Samad, along with Najibullah Zadran towards the middle order, provides him with firepower hitting.

They also have strong options in all-rounders. South African George Linde is accompanied by Pakistan’s Hussain Talat, who both add strength and cover with their bat and bowling. The South Africa’s industry includes steam Alzarri Joseph, Mohammad Ali, and spinners Sufyan Muqeem, Arif Yaqoob, and Mehran Mumtaz. The international bowlers Luke Wood and Ahmed Danyal bring more strength to the pace attack, and adding depth makes Peshawar Zalmi a balanced unit that can adjust to almost any pitch or match conditions.

Also read: PSL 2025: Peshawar Zalmi schedule for PSL10

Peshawar Zalmi’s Strongest Playing XI—PSL 10

Led by the prolific Babar Azam, Zalmi’s strongest XI features a dynamic top order with Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris likely to open, providing early aggression. Tom Kohler-Cadmore and George Linde bring stability and depth in the middle, while Najibullah Zadran and Abdul Samad are explosive options for the death overs. With Hussain Talat as a batting all-rounder and Alzarri Joseph and Mohammad Ali spearheading the pace attack, the bowling line-up looks threatening. Arif Yaqoob’s leg-spin and Mehran Mumtaz’s left-arm spin give variety and control in the middle overs.

Probable Playing XI:

• Saim Ayub
• Mohammad Haris (WK)
• Babar Azam (C)
• Tom Kohler-Cadmore
• George Linde
• Najibullah Zadran
• Abdul Samad
• Hussain Talat
• Alzarri Joseph
• Muhammad Ali
• Arif Yaqoob / Mehran Mumtaz

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 marks the milestone tenth edition of one of cricket’s most electrifying T20 competitions. Kicking off on April 11 and culminating in the grand finale on May 18 at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium, the tournament will feature top talent from Pakistan and abroad. With six franchises competing in a double round-robin format, fans can expect intense action across four key cities—Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi.

Follow for more: https://www.cricketwinner.com/

As always, Peshawar Zalmi is in the spotlight along with other franchises. As a fierce competitor, Peshawar Zalmi has not only won the hearts of fans all over with their fearless brand of cricket but also distressed competitors since the inception of the league with their fierce brand of cricket - featuring internationally renowned players and the best local names. The team has long been regarded as the league’s fan favorites year on year.

With notable players such as Shoaib Malik, Hasan Ali, and Wahab Riaz, Peshawar Zalmi is one of the most followed and successful franchises in PSL history. Peshawar Zalmi won the provincial title in 2017 and has made deep runs in the tournaments. Looking forward to PSL 2025, the team promises to deliver overwhelming performances with their mix of international and local players.

Also read : PSL 2025: Peshawar Zalmi schedule for PSL10

Peshawar Zalmi Squad 2025

Peshawar Zalmi’s PSL 10 squad is balanced, experienced, and packed with match-winners across all departments. Divided across six draft categories, their roster boasts a powerful top order, versatile all-rounders, and bowlers who can win games on any surface.

Category | Players

Platinum

• Babar Azam (C) – Batter
• Saim Ayub – Batter
• Tom Kohler-Cadmore – Batter

Diamond

• Mohammad Haris – Wicket-keeper
• George Linde – All-rounder
• Mohammad Ali – Bowler

Gold

• Abdul Samad – Batter
• Nahid Rana (Partially Available) – Bowler
• Hussain Talat – All-rounder

Silver

• Arif Yaqoob – Bowler
• Mehran Mumtaz – Bowler
• Sufyan Muqeem – Bowler
• Max Bryant – Batter
• Najibullah Zadran – Batter

Emerging

• Ali Raza – Bowler
• Maaz Sadaqat – Batter

Supplementary

• Alzarri Joseph – Bowler
• Ahmed Danyal – Bowler
• Mitchell Owen – Batter
• Luke Wood (Partial Replacement) – Bowler

Peshawar Zalmi: Key Players to Watch Out For

• Babar Azam
• Rovman Powell
• Noor Ahmad
• Saim Ayub
• Mohammad Haris
• Naveen-ul-Haq
• Wahab Riaz
• Aamir Jamal

Peshawar Zalmi head into PSL 10 with a point to prove and a squad that has the experience and firepower to make a deep run. With Babar’s tactical leadership and an exciting blend of youth and experience, Zalmi fans will be hoping for a memorable campaign this season.

Pakistan's team has been in a drench of line, where after the failure of the Champions Trophy they headed over to the New Zealand tour where they were acquitted 5 T20 series matches match ODI series. Pakistan went with their young and experienced side for the series where they lost the T20 series 4-1 to a young New Zealand side which had a huge backlash against their fans. Pakistan's efforts were not that much efficient where young boys also couldn't do much
After a hefty loss in T20s it was turned in ODIs where fans expected there would be something turn around from the team. Pakistan team was captained by Mohammad Rizwan and the New Zealand team was captained by Bracewell both teams were equally balanced with all sets of quality. However, Pakistan couldn't do any big thing in the ODI series where they lost two matches which just dented the side's confidence completely. 

Pakistan's Last ODI Against New Zealand

In the last ODI against New Zealand they won the toss and chose to field first where Rhys Mariu, and Bracewell's collective effort made up the score of 264 runs with the loss of eight wickets, Pakistan had a nice chance to win the game for a consolidation win but rather than it had a different scenario which was other the part.Pakistan started the chase well but lost in the middle cut. 

Though Babar Azam's fifty and Rizwan's innings couldn't stature the desired result they wanted where they lost the plot completely and lost the match and lost the series too. After the hefty loss,  some Pakistan fans started to mock the team which just ended in an indulgent fight where Pakistan player Khusdil Shah had a heated exchange with fans which created a huge controversy all around. After the heavy loss of the team, their ex-cricketers have also lambasted the team. 

Read More: It was not Hardik Pandya, Jayawardene who made this tactical decision

Sikander Bakht On Pakistan Poor performance

Former Pakistan player and bowler after the whitewash in the ODI series just crunched the team speaking to Geo Super channel his words were "Is really Rizwan a captaincy material who just chats all around and does nothing he was so horrible in batting, the fielding changes and the rotation in bowling was so awful and what you expect me to say. If we had a professional cricket board, you would not have been there. Let me talk about your captaincy. You made horrible bowling changes. Faheem Ashraf was bowling at 120kmph. It was not a slower delivery; it was his actual speed. You are the captain, you removed the slip in the third over. Is this professionalism? What captaincy are you doing?"

He further added  "It is high time the current crop of senior players stepped up and helped the side win big tournaments like the Asia Cup and the World Cup. He said all the players should be demoted to D grade in central contracts, and their status should be elevated when performances speak for themselves".