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PSL 2021 Preview: Struggling Peshawar, depleted Karachi seek redemption

Somya Kapoor

Peshawar Zalmi will take on Karachi Kings on Tuesday, 15 June, in the second fixture of the day in Abu Dhabi. The two teams are coming into this match after suffering defeats in the respective last outings in the Pakistan Super League. 

While Peshawar are placed at number three spot with four wins and 8 points, Imad Wasim-led Karachi are following them at number four with three wins, earning 6 points in seven matches that they have played so far. 

The two sides struggled with their bowling unit in the last respective matches. However, Karachi skipper Imad Wasim accepted that he had run out of bowling options and wasn’t able to complete four overs himself after injuring his finger. 

While the bowlers struggled from both sides, the batting units were up to the task and it would be interesting to see how Babar Azam, who took on the Islamabad United’s bowling attack and struck a fine half-century in a losing cause fares against Peshawar. 

Babar is in some good form and has been among the runs for quite a while now. Babar has scored a staggering 424 runs at an average of 106. The only problem is his scoring rate while chasing a target. A bit of tweaking is surely required and if he does that, Babar can take the game away from the opposition at any given stage. 

Interestingly, in their last encounter with each other, it was Babar Azam who anchored Karachi to a win by 6 wickets after helping his side chase down 189 in Karachi during the first leg of the tournament. 

The right-handed batsman remained unbeaten 77 off 47 balls. So, if Karachi are chasing a total and Azam unleashes what he did a few months back against Peshawar, the Kings can generate some positive results for themselves and get themselves back on track. 

Match Details

Match – Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings – 24th match

Venue – Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Time – 11:30 PM IST, 06:00 PM GMT

Pitch Report

The tracks in Abu Dhabi have something on offer for the spinners but the teams chasing at night have also been benefited to the large amount of dew the conditions provide.

In the last game between Islamabad and Karachi, the United team rode on some exceptional batting from Colin Munro and Iftikhar to chase down a mammoth target of 191 by 8 wickets. The dew will come into play, so if you win the toss, elect to field. 

Team News

Karachi Kings: Karachi Kings had a struggling time while bowling against Islamabad United and the captain Imad Wasim would be seeking some help from the team’s think tank to make some alterations in the bowling department. 

While bowling might be a cause of concern for Karachi, opener Babar Azam is in some fine form and would be looking to continue what he has been doing the best for the past few matches. 

Peshawar Zalmi: Peshawar Zalmi will be without the services of David Miller, Fabian Allen and Fidel Edwards as the three players will be featuring in the five-match T20I series between South Africa and West Indies starting from June 26.


“It is pity that I have to leave,” said Miller while speaking to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “My time with the franchise has been amazing. We have a family environment and a combination of world-class players. A lot of young guys are coming up as well. I think they have a balanced squad and nice replacements available.”

Zalmi’s bowling can be a cause of concern for the team management and the absence of Miller who was in some good touch also creates a void that needs to be filled cautiously. 

Probable XI

Peshawar Zalmi: Imam-ul-Haq, Haider Ali, Kamran Akmal (wk), Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz (c), Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Irfan, Amad Butt

Karachi Kings: Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khan, Martin Guptill, Najibullah Zadran, Chadwick Walton (wk), Imad Wasim (c), Thisara Perera, Abbas Afridi, Waqas Maqsood, Mohammad Amir, Arshad Iqbal

Fantasy XI

Imam-ul-Haq, Haider Ali, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik (VC), Imad Wasim, Babar Azam (C), Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Imran, Wahab Riaz, Arshad Iqbal  

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