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PSL 2021 | PSZ vs LHQ: Zalmi look to break losing streak against table toppers Qalandars

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In their past three meetings, Peshawar Zalmi have been humbled by the Qlanadrs from Lahore. The first game this season for both the teams was against each other and Qalandars defeated the Zalmis thanks to a magnificent performance with the ball by Shaheen Afridi (3/14). Previously the Zalmi lost to the men from Lahore in the eliminator of the 2020 PSL and also in a league game of the same season. It has been more than 450 days since a victory for the team from Peshawar over the Qalandars. 

Now with the PSL moving to Abu Dhabi once again, the Zalmi, who have had a good run in the competition, compared to their opponents would look to make good use of the already used wicket in the doubleheader. In fact, Zalmi have lost only once to Qalandars in the  UAE and it came way back in 2016. However the tables have turned, while Zalmi would be looking to set their feet in the Shiekh Zayed Stadium, Sohail Akhtar’s men are already on the charge thanks to their thrilling last-ball win against Islamabad United in the opening game of the Abu Dhabi leg of PSL 2021. 

With more than just two points at stake, there is no doubt that both teams, with a changed combination and lineup due to change in the schedule, would go all guns blazing in this 23.300 hrs IST clash. 

Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars: Match Details

Match Number- 17

Date and Time: June 10, 23:30 pm IST, 06:00 pm GMT, 10:00 pm Local

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Broadcast/ Live Stream: Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV

Pitch Report

As evident from the first game, the heat has really worked up the surfaces in the Gulf nation. As a result, the pitch is two-paced, as it has carry and bounce, but at the same time, the ball is gripping and getting stuck in the wicket if fingers are being rolled over the ball. It turned a bit as well in the first game, giving clear indications as to why spinners are important. 

Weather and Toss

If you win the toss in PSL, there is no way anybody would choose anything other than fielding first. The formula worked in Karachi and it did in the first game in Abu Dhabi too. There would be no problem with the weather in Abu Dhabi as in the case of a 10 pm start, it would rather be perfect as the sand would have mostly cooled by then. 

Team News

Peshawar Zalmi

Their main bowler from the Karachi leg, Saqib Mahmood won’t be available in the Abu Dhabi leg and thus the onus to bowl well fall on the shoulders of the skipper Wahab Riaz. To get some support, he has West Indian veteran Fidel Edwards and homegrown talents like Umaid Asif and Imran Randhawa. 

The batting department would also miss Ravi Bopara and Tom Kohler Cadmore or TKC as he is known. To compensate for that, Zalmi brought in South Africa David Miller and West Indians Rovman Powell and Fabian Allen. The Afghan spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman has been replaced by his compatriot, Waqar Salamkheil. Thus with these many changes, it would be difficult for Daren Sammy and Riaz to pick a solid team. 

Probable XI

Kamran Akmal(w), Imam-ul-Haq, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, David Miller, Sherfane Rutherford, Fabian Allen, Wahab Riaz(c), Amad Butt, Fidel Edwards,, Waqar Salamkheil

Lahore Qalandars

The only change that Qalandars could think of initiating is getting someone in place of Mohmmad Faizan, who looked out of sorts in the first game. But then he is a youngster and bound to make mistakes, thus getting him out of the XI just after one game wouldn’t be fair. Thus a no change team would be in the offering by Qalandars. 

Probable XI

Fakhar Zaman, Sohail Akhtar(c), Muhammad Faizan, Mohammad Hafeez, Ben Dunk(w), Tim David, Rashid Khan, James Faulkner, Ahmed Daniyal, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

Dream XI / Fantasy XI Predictions

Sohail Akhtar, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, David Miller, Mohammad Hafeez (c), Ben Dunk(w), Rashid Khan (vc), James Faulkner, Wahab Riaz, Amad Butt, Shaheen Afridi

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