Peshawar Zalmi will lock horns with Islamabad United in Eliminator 2 to get the rights to play the Final against Multan Sultans on Thursday.
PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE SEASON 6
Venue & Time: Sheikh Zayed Stadium at Abu Dhabi 8 pm Local Time (9:30 pm IST)
Preview:
Islamabad United who got defeated after five consecutive wins will look to rectify their mistakes when they lock horns in the second Eliminator with a confident Peshawar Zalmi who knocked out defending champions, Karachi Kings.
United, who topped the league, suffered their first defeat against Multan Sultans in this leg of PSL in what was the most important game for them all thus far.
They pulled things back slightly after a bit of an onslaught at the top of the order courtesy of Sohaib Maqsood but the final nail in the coffin came in the penultimate over when Khushdil Shah struck four sixes to power them to 180.
United lost three wickets in the powerplay including their danger man, Colin Munro for a duck and struggled to find their way back. Usman Khawaja took the burden on his shoulders scoring a brilliant 70 but there was just too much to do with little but no support at the other end.
At the halfway stage, the Kings' total of 175 seemed all but competitive but Hazratullah Zazai's sparkling 38-ball 77 laid the perfect platform. During the middle period, veteran Shoaib Malik and Usman Khalid were untroubled as they went along without breaking a sweat or trying anything risky.
Both sides have firepower at the top of the order as well as in the middle to lower order that can take the game away from the opposition. Batting does seem to be getting easier as the competition goes on but this surface has been offering assistance to the pacers
Zalmi has had the upper hand in their past five meetings winning three. United have won only one and the most recent on June 17, 2021. But like in any knock out game, all these statistics fly out the window. It's about on the day and who steps up and doesn't succumb to the pressure. Runs on the board are important, but even more so in a playoff. The toss will play a key role.
The surface at Sheikh Zayed stadium has been relatively decent for batting and with dew factoring in, it should be even easier for the chasing teams. In the double header on 21 June, we saw Multan Sultans defend a 180 and Peshawar Zalmi chase down 175 with ease. The spinners and pacers have extracted a fair bit out of the ground.
Probable XI:
Islamabad United: Usman Khawaja, Colin Munro, Asif Ali, Muhammad Akhlaq, Shadab Khan, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Faheem Ashraf, Akif Javed
Peshawar Zalmi: Hazratullah Zazai, Kamran Akmal, Imam-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Khalid Usman, Wahab Riaz, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Irfan
Key players to watch out for:
Islamabad United: Usman Khawaja, Colin Munro, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf
Peshawar Zalmi: Sherfane Rutherford, Hazratullah Zazai, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan
Where to watch in India:
Sony Six (Television Streaming), Sony LIV (Online Streaming)
Dream11 Fantasy Team:
Wicket-Keeper: Kamran Akmal, Muhammad Akhlaq
Batsmen: Colin Munro(C), Hazratullah Zazai, Usman Khawaja, Iftikhar Ahmed
All-Rounders: Shadab Khan, F Ashraf
Bowlers: Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan
Predictions:
If Peshawar bats first they should score somewhere between 160 to 180 on the other hand, if Islamabad bats first and scores 170 to 190 then we expect them to defend it. We expect Islamabad United to register a victory against Peshawar Zalmi in this fixture.
Pitch Report:
The pitch has assisted spinners a bit but is really good to bat on. Batting first would be an advantage.
(The Final Dream11 Squad of this game will be posted on our Telegram Channel 10 minutes post toss)
Note: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. Please ensure that while you select your team, consider the points that are mentioned and make your own decision accordingly.
