Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United Timeline: Complete PSL Rivalry History (2016

Peshawar Zalmi Vs Islamabad United – One of the most absorbing contests in Pakistan Super League history From nail-biting matches to miraculous comebacks, dominating batting performances & knock-out clashes, both teams have served some of the most memorable PSL contests since the inaugural season in 2016.

This rivalry has been very balanced over the years. Both teams have won almost equally, looking at PSL head-to-head records in recent years showing how competitive this matchup has become.

Table of Contents

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United Head to Head Record

Stats	Peshawar Zalmi	Islamabad United
Matches Played	27	27
Wins	13	13
No Result	1	1
Highest Score	232	247
Lowest Score	126	118

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United Timeline (2016–2026)

PSL Season	Match/Event	Winner	Key Highlights
2016	PSL Final	Islamabad United	Islamabad defeated Peshawar Zalmi in the inaugural PSL final with a brilliant chase led by Dwayne Smith.
2017	League Stage & PSL Season	Peshawar Zalmi	Darren Sammy led Zalmi to important wins over Islamabad before winning the PSL title.
2018	PSL Season	Islamabad United	Islamabad bounced back strongly and lifted their second PSL trophy with Luke Ronchi starring.
2019	Eliminator Thriller	Peshawar Zalmi	Zalmi completed a memorable high-scoring chase in one of the rivalry’s most exciting matches.
2020	League Matches	Split Results	Both teams shared close contests with several last-over finishes.
2021	High-Scoring Games	Mixed Results	Babar Azam and Islamabad’s aggressive batting created entertaining run-fests.
2022	PSL Eliminator	Islamabad United	Islamabad performed well in pressure knockout cricket against Zalmi.
2023	Thriller Match	Peshawar Zalmi	Tom Kohler-Cadmore played a match-winning innings in a close contest.
2024	PSL League Stage	Islamabad United	Islamabad dominated the season’s head-to-head clashes with strong bowling performances.
2025	Match 5 – April 14	Islamabad United	Islamabad scored 243/5 and defeated Zalmi by 102 runs.
2025	Match 22 – May 2	Peshawar Zalmi	Zalmi replied with a 6-wicket victory while chasing 144.
2026	League Stage Match	No Result	The match at Gaddafi Stadium was abandoned because of heavy rain and strong winds.
2026	PSL Qualifier	Peshawar Zalmi	Babar Azam scored a century as Zalmi defeated Islamabad and reached the PSL final.
2026	PSL Final Season Outcome	Peshawar Zalmi	Peshawar Zalmi won the PSL 2026 title under Babar Azam’s captaincy.

PSL 2016 – The Rivalry Begins

This rivalry began its genesis in the inaugural season of PSL season played in UAE. Islamabad United built instant supremacy by overcoming Peshawar Zalmi in crucial fixtures including the PSL 2016 Final.

Key Moment:

The first PSL final, won by Islamabad United over Peshawar Zalmi.
Islamabad won their maiden PSL title, thanks to an explosive knock by Dwayne Smith.

That final set a precedent for one of the biggest rivalries that PSL will have.

PSL 2017 – Peshawar Zalmi’s Revenge Season

Peshawar Zalmi Won The 2017 Season. Zalmi were perhaps the most aggressive team in the tournament, led by Darren Sammy.

Important Highlights:

In the league stage, Zalmi won must-win matches against Islamabad United.
Meanwhile Peshawar eventually lifted the PSL 2017 trophy.
Young stars like Hasan Ali emerged as match-winners.

Islamabad won last season to level the rivalry about a town after Islamabad’s one sided success in 2016.

PSL 2018 – Islamabad Bounce Back

PSL 2018: Islamabad United crowned champions again These two came against Peshawar Zalmi and were very closely contested, with nail biting finishes.

Major Events:

Islamabad showed stronger bowling depth.
Luke Ronchi delivered explosive performances.
Islamabad raised their second PSL trophy

By then, it had grown into one of the most watched games on the fixtures.

PSL 2019 – Playoff Drama

This clash from PSL 2019 was one of the most memorable matches between these teams.

Match Highlight:

Eliminator: Peshawar Zalmi chased down mammoth total in a thriller
Kamran Akmal smacked one of those innings that changed the game.

This match is well known among PSL fans for fearless batting and pressure moments.

PSL 2020 – Competitive Battles Continue

During PSL 2020, the rivalry grew.

Notable Moments:

The Pakistani players were also relied upon by both teams.
Zalmi were kept under pressure regularly as a result of Islamabad’s perfectly balanced all-round squad.
The two sides played to a number of close finishes.

This caused the fans to start comparing this rivalry with some of the biggest T20 rivalries in world cricket.

PSL 2021 – High-Scoring Encounters

A plethora of superb batting performances were seen during PSL 2021.

Key Performers:

Babar Azam has been the mainstay of Peshawar Zalmi batting order.
Islamabad United sent one more market score powerplay between the season

It was a rivalry that featured huge scores and hard-hitting batting.

PSL 2022 – Eliminator Pressure

This rivalry stepped up a notch during the PSL 2022 Eliminator.

Important Points:

Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi (knockout)
Both teams had a good recent PSL record before this match.
Another pressure cricket classic.

Not so much under knockout pressure this season, however – it showed just how well matched the two franchises really are.

PSL 2023 – Kohler-Cadmore Heroics

PSL 2023 featured another thriller.

Memorable Match:

Tom Kohler-Cadmore scored a winning match for Zalmik.
Islamabad put up a fight but lost narrowly.

The rivalry was made more entertaining by the aggressive batting approaches from both teams.

PSL 2024 – Islamabad United Dominate

Then there were better days for Islamabad United in the 2024 season.

Main Highlights:

Islamabad secured vital victories in matches across the country.
Zalmi are on the back of a top-order that struggled to cope with their bowling.
Islamabad had advantage over the game and its tactical captaincy fitness wise as well

Yet, it wasn’t until Pakistan took the Gillette Cup that matches remained fiercely contested.

PSL 2025 – Rivalry Levels Again

The 2025 PSL season balanced this rivalry once again.

Recent Match Results:

April 14, 2025: Islamabad United defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 102 runs after scoring 243/5.
May 2, 2025: Peshawar Zalmi responded with a 6-wicket victory.

In a rivalry as unpredictable as this, these back-to-back results illustrated just how volatile it can be.

PSL 2026 – Latest Chapter of the Rivalry

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United rivalry PSL 2026 season added another chapter to the ongoing fierce battle.

League Stage Clash

Both teams came into PSL 2026 with solid squads early on.

Key Stars:

Babar Azam led Peshawar Zalmi.
Shadab Khan captained Islamabad United.
Overseas stars strengthened both lineups.

A match at Lahore was abandoned, because of rains and the wind

PSL 2026 Qualifier – Massive Playoff Battle

The PSL 2026 Qualifier was among the bigger matches in the rivalry.

Match Story:

PSL 2026: Peshawar Zalmi topped the table.
Islamabad United secured second place.
The victor would go directly into the PSL final.

Biggest Highlight:

Where Babar Azam scored a sensational ton
The Peshawar Zalmi beat Islamabad United by an innings and 45 runs.
Zalmi back in the PSL Final after eons.

That Babar Azam innings turned out to be one of the epic moments of PSL 2026.

Top Players in Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United Rivalry

Highest Run-Scorers

Player	Team	Runs
Kamran Akmal	Peshawar Zalmi	500+
Babar Azam	Peshawar Zalmi	400+
Luke Ronchi	Islamabad United	300+

Highest Wicket-Takers

Player	Team	Wickets
Hasan Ali	Peshawar Zalmi	29
Shadab Khan	Islamabad United	20+

Conclusion

From explosive batting and pressure situations to star-studded performances and playoff matches, the “Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United timeline” represents everything fans love about T20 cricket.

PSL Head Turner: This rivalry has entertained cricket fans since the first day Islamabad United got hold of the PSL trophy in 2016 to Babar Azam doing full justice with Peshawar Zalmi’s glorious campaign for PSL 2026.

Since both teams continue to stay amongst the top contenders in Pakistan Super League, you can expect more thrilling contests between the two PSL heavyweights.

FAQs

1. Who has won more matches between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United?

Both teams have shared a highly competitive rivalry in PSL history. According to recent head-to-head records, both sides have almost equal wins against each other.

2. Which was the most famous match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United?

The PSL 2016 Final is considered one of the most memorable matches because Islamabad United defeated Peshawar Zalmi to win the inaugural PSL trophy.

3. Who has scored the most runs in Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United matches?

Players like Kamran Akmal, Babar Azam, and Luke Ronchi have been among the top run-scorers in this PSL rivalry over the years.

4. What happened in the Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United PSL 2026 Qualifier?

In the PSL 2026 Qualifier, Babar Azam scored a brilliant century and helped Peshawar Zalmi defeat Islamabad United to qualify for the PSL final.