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PSL 2021 | MS vs PSZ: Pumped up Peshawar ready to face the Sultans from Multan

Abhishek Singh

With big victories in their previous encounters, Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans get ready to fight it out in the second game of the doubleheaders day in the Pakistan Super League. On a Sunday, there could be nothing as mouthwatering as watching the likes of Mohammad Rizwan, Shoaib Malik, David Miller, Rilee Rossouw and Shimron Hetmyer handle the bat against the bowling of the likes of Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan, Sohail Tanvir and Imran Tahir. 

Both the teams might be coming from great wins over Karachi and Quetta, but there are issues that need to be addressed if they want to go ahead in the competitions and be a challenge to the likes of Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United. 

Zalmi bowling attack is lopsided

Zalmi might have stopped Quetta at 136 in their previous game, but there is no denying the fact that they are missing the fifth bowler in an attempt to make the batting lineup long. In their game against Qalandars, they were caught napping on that front as their fifth bowling combination of Shoaib Malik and Fabian Allen conceded 44 runs in four overs. 

Basically, they don’t have a quality spinner in their ranks and with a pace heavy attack, they won’t be going very far in this competition. Although there is Waqar Salamkheil, the Afghan chinaman and Abrar Ahmad the Pakhtunkhwah leggies, but both of them have not been tested at the highest level. 

So against a batting heavy team like Multan Sultans, the Zalmis might just miss a trick by not having a quality spinner in their armoury. 

Sultans don't bat deep

Although the quality of batters in the Multan lineup is great. They are dependable and on their day could single-handedly win the game. But in total, they are just six, including the wicket-keeper. Sohail Tanvir batting at number seven is an indication of the fact that the lower order is not batting friendly. 

If it so happens that Sultans lose all their six batman before the death over, then who would capitalise? Such a situation almost occurred in their last game against the Karachi Kings when Khushdil Shah had to bat it out along with Tanvir. But if Khushdil had also got out, what would have been the consequences?

So both the teams have strengths and weaknesses too, it would come down to which team exploits others’ weakness and which team can overpower that weakness with their strength.

Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi: Match Details

Match Number- 21

Date and Time: June 13th 2021, 11:30 pm IST, 06:00 pm GMT, 10:00 pm Local

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Broadcast and Live Stream: Sony Liv

Pitch Report

The dew is getting heavier by the day in Abu Dhabi and it is making batting in the second innings predominantly easy. There is obviously some purchase in the first innings for the bowlers, if they hit the right areas, be it spinner or fast bowler. Similarly, for a batsman, if they are willing to spend some time in the middle and wait for the right kind of deliveries to attack, there are ample opportunities to score runs. 

Weather and Toss

With temperature hovering in the lower thirties and 65% humidity in the air, heavy dew is expected at the Sheikh Zayed Arena. Any team winning the toss would choose to bowl without any doubt. 

Team News

Multan Sultans

Sohail Tanvir was limping during the game after a yorker from Mohammad Amir crushed his legs. The left-arm unorthodox pacer struggled a lot to even complete his full quota of overs. Other than his fitness being a cause of worry there doesn’t seem to be any reason for changing the winning combination. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hetmyer didn’t fire and a lot was expected of them, still, they would be given a few more chances before any decision is taken. 

Probable XI

Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Sohaib Maqsood, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rilee Rossouw, Shimron Hetmyer, Khushdil Shah, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, Imran Tahir, Shahnawaz Dhani, Imran Khan

Peshawar Zalmi

The Zalmi team could introduce a proper spinner in place of Fabian Allen as even Wahab Riaz can hit a few in the later phase of the innings and so can Umaid Asif. Having Allen makes no sense in that case. However, since he is a natural wicket-taker and the team is winning, expecting a chance for Salamkheil in such a situation would be difficult. 

Probable XI

Kamran Akmal (wk), Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, David Miller, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Fabian Allen, Wahab Riaz (c), Umaid Asif, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Irfan

Dream XI / Fantasy XI Predictions

Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Haider Ali, Sohaib Maqsood, Rilee Rossouw, Shimron Hetmyer, David Miller, Fabian Allen, Wahab Riaz, Imran Tahir, Shahnawaz Dhani, Mohammad Irfan

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