Peshawar Zalmi likely to come strong against Quetta Gladiators today

 Peshawar Zalmi likely to come strong against Quetta Gladiators today

Asher Butt

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 is set for an action-packed Sunday doubleheader, with the first match between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi here at the Gaddafi Stadium, providing an early opportunity for both teams to secure a win in the tournament.

The second match of the day will witness a face-off between Mohammad Rizwan's Multan Sultans against Shan Masood's Karachi Kings at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

In their last five meetings in the PSL, Peshawar Zalmi secured four wins against Quetta Gladiators' one victory. Zalmi dominated the Gladiators with four consecutive wins until the lone defeat in March 2023.

Peshawar Zalmi, aiming for their second PSL title, boasts a strong track record with a tournament win in 2017 and three runner-up finishes. Key developments in their camp include the recruitment of West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph, replacing England's Gus Atkinson. The team is also excited about the addition later of England batter Daniel Mousley, a promising talent with experience in the International League T20 in the UAE.

The Gladiators, winners of the 2019 PSL title, have faced group-stage exits in the past four seasons, raising questions about their current form. Under new captain Rilee Rossouw, they aim for a resurgence, supported by West Indian batter Sherfane Rutherford. Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga adds strength to their lineup.

The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the venue for this match, has seen the team winning the toss opt to bat first in the last three T20Is. With a trend of winning by the team batting first in recent matches at this ground, the toss-winning team is likely to choose to bat.

The Gaddafi Stadium has witnessed relatively high-scoring matches, with recent first-innings totals of 163, 192, and 182 in T20Is. A competitive first-innings score is expected to be around 170-plus, and spin might play a crucial role. Gaddafi Stadium typically features batting-friendly pitches, and the match is expected to witness high-scoring encounters. Pacers may find opportunities to claim wickets, and an average score of around 161 runs indicates a competitive T20 environment. Lahore's weather on match day is forecasted to be hot and humid, with no rain expected.

In the back drop of conditions and team lineups, Peshawar Zalmi is viewed as in a stronger position to win against Quetta Gladiators. With impressive batting resources, Zalmi looks well-prepared for the competition. In contrast, Quetta's bowling department may face challenges.

Babar Azam, leading Peshawar Zalmi, needs to deliver impactful performances. With a strong batting lineup, including Rovman Powell and Saim Ayub, Peshawar aims to secure victory against Quetta Gladiators in Lahore.

Under the leadership of Rilee Rossouw, Quetta Gladiators must play exceptional cricket to overcome their recent record. The head-to-head stats favor Peshawar Zalmi, making it a challenging encounter for Quetta.

Out of 21 matches played between Quetta and Peshawar, Zalmi has secured 12 victories, while Gladiators won nine matches. The history suggests Peshawar's dominance in their encounters.

Finished at the bottom in the previous edition, Quetta will rely on players like Will Smeed and Mohammad Nawaz. Their recent track record raises questions about their performance. Whereas, with a strong team in the previous edition, Peshawar Zalmi reached the Second Eliminator. Key players include Mohammad Haris and Salman Irshad, contributing to the team's success.

Teams:

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam, Rovman Powell (both Platinum), Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (all Diamond), Mohammad Haris (Brand Ambassador), Aamir Jamal (both Gold), Khurram Shahzad (Silver), Haseebullah Khan (Emerging), Asif Ali, Naveen-ul-Haq (partially unavailable), Umair Afridi, Dan Mousley, Gus Atkinson, Mohammad Zeeshan, Lungi Ngidi (Waqar Salamkheil), Mehran Mumtaz, Noor Ahmad (replaced by Gus Atkinson), Salman Irshad, Arif Yaqoob, Shamar Joseph (partial replacement for Gus Atkinson), Arshad Iqbal (partial replacement for Khurram Shahzad), Luke Wood

Quetta Gladiators: Rilee Rossouw (Platinum), Mohammad Wasim, Jason Roy, Wanindu Hasaranga (all Diamond), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Brand Ambassador) Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Hasnain (all Gold), Mohammad Amir, Will Smeed (Silver) Saud Shakeel, Sajjad Ali, Usman Qadir, Adil Naz, Khawaja Nafay, Akeal Hosein, Sohail Khan, Omair Yousuf, Sherfane Rutherford, Bismillah Khan (partial replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga), Sufiyan Muqeem