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PSL 2021, Eliminator 1 Preview: Old rivals Peshawar, Karachi clash in pursuit of survival

Owing to a decent performance in the do or die match against Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings eventually made a place for themselves in the playoffs and will now play Peshawar Zalmi in the eliminator 1. Karachi’s qualification meant that Lahore Qalandars were eliminated from the tournament. 

Well, all said and done, the Imad Qasim-led side will now be locking horns with the Zalmi team who have some world class players in the ranks. From captain Wahab Riaz to experienced all-rounder Shoaib Malik, Peshawar have a good and strong line up. 

While a few players had to leave the PSL mid-way for national duties, Zalmi found a new aggressive batsman in Zazai who is equipped enough to take on the bowling attack at a brisk pace. In fact, it was Zazai’s onslaught that handed Zalmi an easy win over Karachi earlier in the league stage. 

Karachi on the other side have Babar Azam who has been in terrific form in this competition and fast bowler Mohammad Amir who is certainly an exceptional talent. 

Apart from these two, opener Sharjeel Khan has the ability to go after the bowlers at any given stage. The only issue that Karachi has faced is Babar Azam’s scoring rate especially while chasing. The team management definitely needs to fix this up in this all important match. 

The sides have faced each other twice in this competition and have a win apiece to their name. Interestingly, both the teams won while chasing the target and by 6 wickets. The winner of this match will play the losing team of the Qualifier in the Eliminator 2 while the team that suffers defeat in Eliminator 1 bows out. 

Match Details

Match: PSZ vs KRK, Eliminator 1, Pakistan Super League 2021

Date: Monday, June 21, 2021

Time: 11:30 PM

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Pitch Report

The tracks in Abu Dhabi have been pretty slow and have had something on offer to the spinners. But the scheduled timing of the match might be taken into consideration as there can be dew factor which can help the batsmen. So, if you win the toss bowl first. 

Team News

Peshawar Zalmi: Three players, David Miller, Fabian Allen and Fidel Edwards had departed for national duties as South Africa and West Indies are slated to lock horns in a T20I series. But players like Zazai, Kamran Akmal, Malik, and skipper Wahab Riaz can play an important role in getting some fruitful results. 

Karachi Kings: Karachi Kings have a formidable batting line up and some good bowlers to give them stability in the big match. The only issue that needs to be tweaked is Babar Azam’s scoring rate when the side is chasing a target. He needs to accelerate after getting his eye in. Though, his form isn’t really a cause of concern as he has been among the runs in this competition. 

There was a major positive for the Karachi team during the match against Quetta when Danish Aziz went after Wildermuth and collected 33 runs in the over. Danish's aggressive batting can help Kings add some valuable runs to the total in the death overs. 

Probable XI

Peshawar Zalmi: Hazratullah Zazai, Kamran Akmal (wk), Imam-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Abrar Ahmed, Wahab Riaz (c), Umaid Asif, Waqar Salamkheil, Sameen Gul

Karachi Kings: Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Martin Guptill, Najibullah Zadran, Chadwick Walton (wk), Imad Wasim (c), Noor Ahmad, Danish Aziz, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Ilyas, Arshad Iqbal

Fantasy XI

Kamran Akmal, Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam (C), Shoaib Malik, Sherfane Rutherford, Imad Wasim (VC), Rovman Powell, Umaid Asif, Arshad-Iqbal, Mohammad Ilyas, Wahab Riaz

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PSL 2021, Qualifier Preview: Balanced Multan, presiding Islamabad contest for finale spot

After some hard-fought battles during the course, the Pakistan Super League finally has four teams that will battle it out in the playoffs. Table toppers Islamabad United and Multan Sultans will be up against each other in the qualifier on Monday in Abu Dhabi. The winner of this match will register a place in the final of the tournament while the team that suffers a defeat will have another chance to move forward. The losing side will have to play the eliminator 2 either against Peshawar Zalmi or Karachi Kings on Tuesday. Islamabad have been pretty dominant in this PSL 2021 after winning 8 of their 10 matches in the league. Moreover, the United side has the upper hand against Sultans after they emerged victorious in both the clashes in this edition. Interestingly, the wins have come for Islamabad while chasing while the bowlers have thoroughly dominated the Multan batting line up as well. Islamabad have experienced players like Shadab Khan, Colin Munro and Hasan Ali in the ranks. While captain Shadab can be a dangerous player on his day, Munro has shown his skills in this tournament and there have been instances where he has played a massive role to steady the ship for the side. On the other side, Multan Sultans captain Mohammad Rizwan has been in some brilliant form while the likes of Masood, Rossouw and Charles make them a dangerous batting line up. While they have strength in their bowling, Multan have some lethal bowlers in Muzarabani and Dhani. Dhani’s express pace and short deliveries that hurries on to the batsmen create a lot of problems for his opponents. Match Details Match: ISU vs MS, Qualifier, Pakistan Super League 2021 Date: Monday, June 21, 2021 Time: 6:30 PM Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi Pitch Report The pitches in this tournament in Abu Dhabi have been pretty helpful in the middle overs especially during the evening games. The slowish nature of the track has helped the spinners pick up wickets in the middle overs but as the day progresses, the strip has something on offer for the batsmen too. So, if you win the toss, bowl first. Team News Islamabad United: Islamabad United would be banking upon their batsmen especially the top-order to go all guns blazing. Colin Munro is in some form while Usman Khawaj showed his class after notching up a ton against Peshawar Zalmi. Apart from them, Islamabad have Asif Ali, Brandon King and Shadab Khan in the squad who can be as lethal on their day. Overall, Islamabad are a batting heavy side with some good bowling line up in the unit. Multan Sultans: Multan Sultans are probably one of the most balanced sides in the competition. They have batting order that comprises someone like Mohammad Rizwan, Masood, Charles and Rossouw while have a bowling attack which has Dhani, Imran Tahir and Muzarabani. Dhani has been consistent in this competition for Multan and would be a key player for the team when it takes the guard on Monday. Experienced Imran Tahir rattled Quetta Gladiators with his spin and the lad from South Africa can be someone to watch out for. Probable XI Multan Sultans - Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Sohaib Maqsood, Johnson Charles, Rilee Rossouw, Hammad Azam, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, Mohammad Umar, Imran Tahir, Shahnawaz Dhani Islamabad United - Usman Khawaja, Colin Munro, Muhammad Akhlaq (wk), Shadab Khan (c), Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Ali Khan, Hasan Ali Fantasy XI Mohammad Rizwan (C), Colin Munro, Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Sohaib Maqsood, Hammad Azam, Iftikhar-Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shahnawaz Dhani (VC), Imran Tahir

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