Beyond the head-to-head numbers lies one of the PSL’s great stories: the league’s oldest champion against its most consistent modern force, Babar Azam against Mohammad Rizwan. This is the complete history of the Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans rivalry — the squads, the stats and the matches that defined it.
Quick answer: Peshawar Zalmi (champions 2017, 2026) and Multan Sultans (champions 2021) first met on 22 February 2018. Across 19 PSL games Multan lead 11–8. Rizwan tops the fixture’s run charts (380); Babar Azam’s Zalmi are the reigning champions after PSL 11’s 5-wicket final win in May 2026.
Origins of the Rivalry
Multan Sultans joined the PSL in 2018 as the sixth franchise — debuting against defending champions Peshawar Zalmi on 22 February 2018. The early years were one-sided: Multan won 10 of the first 14 meetings, including the 2021 season when they lifted their only title. But Zalmi, champions in 2017 and finalists in 2018 and 2019, never stayed down for long. The rivalry’s modern chapter belongs to two captains: Babar Azam, the world-class batter who led Zalmi to the PSL 11 crown, and Mohammad Rizwan, Multan’s rock and the fixture’s all-time top scorer. For the viewing guide, see how to watch every Peshawar vs Multan live match.
Squads & Stars
Peshawar Zalmi (PSL 11 champions): Babar Azam (c) — 588 runs in PSL 11, the tournament’s top scorer — Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub, Kusal Mendis, and the breakout star Sufiyan Muqeem (22 wickets, player of the series). Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, Rilee Rossouw, Ashton Turner (captain in PSL 11), with Usama Mir leading the spin attack. Multan’s squad building has a new backer too — Walee’s record Rs2.45bn franchise deal made headlines in 2026.
Rivalry Stats That Matter
| Record | Holder | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Most runs (fixture) | Mohammad Rizwan (MS) | 380 |
| Highest score | Rilee Rossouw (MS) | 121 |
| Most wickets | Usama Mir (MS) | 11 |
| Biggest win (runs) | Peshawar Zalmi | 120 runs (Apr 2025) |
| Highest chase | Multan Sultans | 244 vs 242 (Mar 2023) |
| PSL titles | Zalmi 2, Sultans 1 | 2017/2026 vs 2021 |
Classic Matches
March 2023 — the 244 chase: Zalmi posted 242; Multan hunted it down with Rossouw’s 121 — one of the greatest chases in T20 league history. April 2025 — Zalmi’s revenge: 227/7 played 107 all out, a 120-run demolition. April 2026 — the title march: Zalmi’s 196 beat Multan’s 172 in Karachi, keeping the unbeaten run alive en route to the PSL 11 trophy. Check where both sides stand in the all-time PSL standings.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans first play each other?
22 February 2018 — Multan’s debut PSL season, against defending champions Peshawar Zalmi.
How many PSL titles have Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans won?
Zalmi have two (2017 and 2026); Multan have one (2021), plus losing finals in 2022 and 2023.
Who is the best player in the Peshawar vs Multan rivalry?
By the numbers: Mohammad Rizwan (380 fixture runs) for Multan and Babar Azam (PSL 11’s 588-run top scorer) for Zalmi. Rilee Rossouw’s 121 is the fixture’s highest score.
Who captained the teams in PSL 11?
Babar Azam captained Peshawar Zalmi to the title; Ashton Turner captained Multan Sultans during the 2026 season.
