Babar Azam To Open; Here's Peshawar Zalmi's Probable XI vs Quetta Gladiators

image-lspum10zPeshawar came one win shy of the PSL 2023 final [X.com]

Peshawar Zalmi will begin their campaign for the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Sunday (February 18). The Zalmi franchise faces off against former champions Gladiators in what promises to be a riveting clash at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. 

Without bagging the coveted silverware, Zalmi had a successful campaign in the previous edition of Pakistan's premier domestic T20 competition. The franchise finished fourth in the points table with five victories during the league stage and defeated Islamabad United in Eliminator 1 to set up another knock-out clash with eventual winners Lahore Qalandars. 

They restart fresh after reconstructing their squad at the pre-season draft process. Led by Pakistan giant Babar Azam, Zalmi suffered a blow when South African speedster Lungi Ngidi pulled out of the tournament. The franchise, however, does boast of capable replacements, such as Naveen-Ul-Haq, in the overseas category. 

West Indies sensation Shamar Joseph is another fantastic signing by the Zalmi owners, given the form the young speedster has been in and the momentum he carries with him after his tremendous match-winning spell in the historic Brisbane Test against Australia. 

Joseph had been roped in as a replacement for England fast-bowler Gus Atkinson and is expected to feature in his maiden PSL stint entirely before shifting base to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for his first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) gig. 

On the batting front, much would depend on how Babar shapes up on home return after undergoing three rather uncharacteristically inconsistent months with the bat, including the ICC World Cup in India, the Test series in Australia and the T20I series in New Zealand. 

Babar's run-making consistency and solidity he brings to the table will be key for Zalmi to enable their aggressive power hitters - Rovman Powell and Asif Ali - to play their naturally free-flowing game in the middle. 


Peshawar Zalmi Probable XI For PSL 2024 Opener

Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, Asif Ali, Aamer Jamal, Salman Irshad, Naveen Ul Haq, Shamar Joseph