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PSL 6 Match 8: Zalmi look to continue winning run against depleted Gladiators

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It has been a shoddy start for the Quetta Gladiators in the ongoing edition of the Pakistan Super League so far as they have encountered heavy defeats in their first two matches. Their fortunes haven’t changed after a mediocre last season and the captaincy standard and the approach towards the game by skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has been questionable on occasions. He has lost his cool on his bowlers on quite a few occasions and the opposition teams have cashed in. They have been severely dented by the departure of Chris Gayle after he had to fly off owing to national commitments. Faf du Plessis has been named as his interim replacement. 


Peshawar Zalmi on the other hand has a win and a defeat under their belt in the two matches they have played so far. They started off their campaign with a demoralising defeat against the Lahore Qalandars in the National Stadium in Karachi while they stormed back in style in the next encounter against the Multan Sultans beating them by six wickets. If head to head is to be considered, the Gladiators have a slight edge over the Zalmi with a record of 8-7 in their favour. 


For the Zalmi’s it was a great knock from the blade of Ravi Bopara which got them to a decent position in the opening match while Tom Kohler Cadmore and Imam-ul-Haq played brilliantly in the second encounter. In the last encounter, it was a whirlwind knock of 24 of just 8 deliveries by Haider Ali which helped them coast to a top-notch victory. Their bowlers have also starred well and look in good rhythm going into their third encounter. 


For the Quetta Gladiators, it was Chris Gayle who shone with the bat in the first two encounters as he plundered a quickfire 39 and 68 runs respectively. It has been a pretty below-par batting performance from the Quetta batsmen so far and barring a well crafted 40 in the previous match by skipper Sarfarar there is no bright spot for the Gladiators at the moment. However, in this format, things tend to change pretty dramatically and they will be hoping for much of the same. Even their bowlers have leaked runs in the two matches and will be looking to make amends once they take the field later today. 

Full squads 

Peshawar Zalmi 

Abrar Ahmed, Amad Butt, Waqar Salamkheil (partial replacement of David Miller), Haider Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Tom-Kohler Cadmore, Mohammad Amir Khan, Mohammad Irfan Snr, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Ravi Bopara, Saqib Mahmood, Sherfane Rutherford, Shoaib Malik, Umaid Asif, Wahab Riaz

Quetta Gladiators

Sarfaraz Ahmed (C), Anwar Ali, Azam Khan, Ben Cutting, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Zahid Mahmood, Dale Steyn, Tom Banton, Usman Khan Shinwari, Cameron Delport, Qais Ahmad, Abdul Nasir, Saim Ayub, Arish Ali Khan, Usman Khan, Faf du Plessis (partial replacement of Chris Gayle)

Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators: Match Details 

Match Number- 08

Venue: National Stadium, Karachi

Date & Time: 26 February 2021, 08:30 pm IST, 08:00 pm Local

Broadcast and Live Stream: Sony SIX, Sony LIV

Pitch Report

The tournament did start with mid-range totals, but over the last two games, it has got better as the totals are getting bigger and bigger. The pitch for this game should be a lively one and it remains to be seen on which surface the evening encounter will be played. The pitch will have good bounce and carry and favour batsmen with the ball coming on to the bat. The fresh wicket might have some juice as well and might offer some swing early on as well. But under lights the bowlers will have their task cut out. 

Weather Report

The weather in Karachi would be ideal for playing cricket as the temperatures would range between the late 20s to early 30s. There would be sunshine and the mild chill of receding winters to compliment it, making it an ideal scenario for a cricket match without any interference from rain. As has been the tradition in the tournament so far. It would be an interesting decision from the captain whoever wins the toss. 

Predicted XI’s 

Peshawar Zalmi- Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sherfane Rutherford, Shoaib Malik, Haider Ali, Wahab Riaz C), Saqib Mahmood, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Imran

Quetta Gladiators- Tom Banton, Saim Ayub, Faf du Plessis, Sarfaraz Ahmed (C and WK), Azam Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Ben Cutting, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Shinwari, Zahid Mahmood 

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