The fifth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 promises to be a cracker as Islamabad United take on Peshawar Zalmi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday, April 14, from 8:30 PM IST. This encounter brings together two of the most followed franchises in PSL history with a history of close battles and big-match performances.
Match Details
-
Match: Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi, Match 5, PSL 2025
-
Date: April 14, 2025
-
Time: 8:30 PM IST
-
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
-
Broadcast & Streaming: Sony Sports Network and FanCode (Subscription required)
Team Overview
Islamabad United – The Defending Champions
Islamabad United come into this season as defending champions, having lifted the PSL trophy in 2024 by defeating Multan Sultans in the final. Led by Shadab Khan, United boast a balanced squad with a solid mix of international stars and emerging Pakistani talent. Colin Munro and Rassie van der Dussen bring reliability to the top order, while Matthew Short adds a dynamic opening option. Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, and Jason Holder provide all-round strength, and the bowling attack is headlined by the pace of Naseem Shah and Salman Irshad.
United finished third on the points table last season but turned up the heat in the playoffs, showcasing nerves of steel and tactical depth. With momentum from their title-winning run, they’ll be eager to assert early dominance this season.
Peshawar Zalmi – Hungry for Redemption
Peshawar Zalmi, under the leadership of Babar Azam, were one of the most consistent sides in the league stage last season, finishing second with six wins in ten games. Despite their form, they lost in Eliminator 2 to Islamabad United, which knocked them out of the race for the title.
This year, Zalmi will be determined to go the distance. Babar Azam, last season’s top run-scorer, remains their key asset. The explosive Saim Ayub, power-hitter Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and versatile all-rounder Mohammad Haris add depth to the batting unit. The bowling unit includes emerging talents like Nahid Rana, Ali Raza, and spinner Arif Yaqoob, who will be looking to make a mark.
Head-to-Head Record
-
Total Matches Played: 25
-
Islamabad United Wins: 12
-
Peshawar Zalmi Wins: 12
-
No Result: 1
This evenly poised rivalry makes the upcoming match even more exciting. Both teams are tied on 12 wins each, making this a potential tiebreaker in their head-to-head history.
Pitch Report – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
The Rawalpindi pitch is known for being batting-friendly, offering good pace and bounce. Matches at this venue typically see high-scoring encounters, especially under lights. Fast bowlers get early movement, but as the match progresses, batters tend to dominate.
With the potential for dew in the second innings, teams winning the toss often choose to bowl first. A total of 180+ is par, but even 200 has been chased down at this ground in the past.
Probable Playing XIs
Islamabad United (Captain: Shadab Khan)
-
Colin Munro
-
Matthew Short
-
Rassie van der Dussen
-
Salman Agha
-
Shadab Khan (c)
-
Jason Holder
-
Haider Ali
-
Imad Wasim
-
Naseem Shah
-
Salman Irshad
-
Hunain Shah
Peshawar Zalmi (Captain: Babar Azam)
-
Saim Ayub
-
Babar Azam (c)
-
Abdul Samad
-
Tom Kohler-Cadmore
-
Mohammad Haris
-
Najibullah Zadran
-
Hussain Talat
-
Nahid Rana
-
Ali Raza
-
Arif Yaqoob
-
Mohammad Ali
Key Players to Watch
Colin Munro (Islamabad United) – His aggressive starts at the top are crucial in setting the tone. Munro’s experience in T20 leagues around the world makes him a vital player.
Shadab Khan (Islamabad United) – As captain and all-rounder, Shadab’s leg-spin and middle-order hitting are key to United’s balance.
Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – With his class and consistency, Babar remains the backbone of Zalmi’s batting and can anchor the innings or accelerate as needed.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Peshawar Zalmi) – A proven match-winner on his day, Kohler-Cadmore brings firepower to the middle order.
Probable Match Scenarios
Scenario 1: Islamabad win the toss and bowl first
-
Zalmi Powerplay: 45-55
-
Zalmi Total: 170-185
-
Result: United chase it down in the last over
Scenario 2: Zalmi bat first and post 190+
-
Babar Azam scores 70+
-
United struggle in middle overs
-
Result: Zalmi win by 10–15 runs
Match Prediction
On paper, Islamabad United hold a slight edge with a more balanced side and stronger bowling attack. However, Peshawar Zalmi’s top-order firepower can tilt the game quickly in their favor. Expect a high-scoring game with momentum shifting multiple times.
Prediction: Islamabad United to win, but it could go down to the final over.