Zalmi's Seven Straight Wins Expose PSL's Thin Middle Order

Kusal Mendis flicked the first ball he faced over fine leg for six. That set the tone at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Peshawar Zalmi needed 183. They got there in 18.5 overs. Mendis stayed unbeaten on 80 from 43 balls. Farhan Yousaf matched the chase with 58 not out off 36. Their 119-run stand shredded Karachi Kings.

Kings posted 182 for 9. Jason Roy made 85. Azam Khan added 35. Then they lost 7 for 50. Ali Raza, 18 years and 35 days old, took 4 for 41—including a T20 hat-trick. Youngest Pakistan bowler to do it. Zalmi's bowlers kept the lid on after Roy's fireworks.

Seventh win in a row. Table-toppers now. After Roy fell, Kings lost 7 for 50. Mendis rotates strike like he owns the ground. Yousaf punches gaps others miss. Raza's hat-trick came in the death. Three in five balls. PSL chases like this don't happen by accident. Zalmi chase anything under 200 these days. Their batting depth turns pressure into runs. Raza bowls like he's got nothing to lose. Pakistan's next fast men start here. The ladder keeps extending.