PSL 2024 KAR vs ISL: Match 15 Top Captain, Vice-captain Picks & Player Stats

Colin Munro looked in great form in the last match (Source: x.com)

Matches are coming hither and thither in the 2024 Pakistan Super League and match 15 will see Karachi Kings (KAR) square off against the Islamabad United (ISL) at the National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi.  This will be the first match at the venue this season and the match on Wednesday is going to slate from 7:30 PM IST.  

The Kings have been shilly-shally this season and are positioned fourth in the league table. They have won just a couple of games and lost one against the Multan Sultans at the start of the competition. Meanwhile, the United have had a completely opposite journey as that of their opposition. Following a victory in their season opener, they have incurred three successive losses.

KAR vs ISL- Important Player Stats 

KAR vs ISL- Toss Factor

This is the first game of PSL 2024 at the National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi. The last season saw plenty of runs with the average first innings score being 180. The average powerplay score was between 55-60 in the last season. The batters generally enjoy the outing here, especially during the first innings. The pacers get more help than the spinners and the venue saw the team bat first win 66.67% of the matches in PSL 2023. 

Scenario: If Karachi Kings win the toss

•  The home side is familar to these conditions and may bat first looking at the records from the last year. 
• Their middle order has piled up bulk of the runs as their openers have blown hot and cold. Hence, Kieron Pollard, Daniel Sams, James Vince, and Shoaib Malik are some important picks. 
• Also, Hasan Ali and Mir Hamzi have been brilliant with the ball in some of the matches they've played.

Scenario: If Islamabad United win the toss first 

•  The only game they won was during chasing a hefty total. Hence they may look to chase first. Batting first has not cultivated favourable outcomes for them.
• Colin Munro, Shadab Khan, Salman Agha and Azam Khan have outbursted with some magnificent knocks on various games. While the former and latter are risky options,  on their day, Munro and Azam can be the X-Factor.

KAR vs ISL- Top Captain and Vice-Captain 

Scenario: If Karachi Kings win the match

Kieron Pollard has been in good touch with the bat in this tournament (Source: x.com)

Kieron Pollard (KAR): The Caribbean all-rounder has been in marvellous form with the bat. With ten sixes from three innings, he has hit the most number of sixes among players included in this contest. Pollard has belted 135 runs from three innings with a strike rate of 165.65.

Shoaib Malik (KAR): The all-rounder has the capability to turn the tide with his all-round abilities. He has scored 121 runs from three innings and could turn out handy with his finger spin, if the need arises.

Scenario: If Islamabad United win the match

Shadab Khan can be a great pick for the match (Source: x.com)

Shadab Khan (ISL): The last time, the United won a game, Shadab had a major contribution in the chase against Lahore Qalandars in the curtain raiser. He has been phenomenal with his wrist spin as well and picked six wickets from four innings. 

Naseem Shah (ISL): Arriving on the back of an injury-rehab, Naseem seems to be improving with every passing day. From the four matches he participated in PSL 2024, the right-arm pacer has bagged six wickets. He can be a great asset with the new ball as well as during the slog overs.

KAR vs ISL- High Risk, High Reward

Colin Munro (ISL): The Kiwi had a decent BBL outing, followed by a below-par ILT20 season with the Desert Vipers. However, Munro showed his class after smashing 71 in the last game for the United. Although a risky option, if he gets going can create a huge difference in the fantasy points structure.

Mir Hamza (KAR): The left-arm pacer has been among the wickets column in the tournament. His six wickets in PSL 2024 includes a three-fer against Peshawar Zalmi. 

KAR vs ISL- Stay Aways

Tymal Mills (ISL): The left-arm pacer has failed to threaten the opposition in this season and has often leaked runs with a lucky wicket or two at times. On a batting paradise, he stands less chance to snap wickets. 

Mohammad Aqlaq (LAH): The top-order batter has been a flop for Karachi this season. He faced 43 balls and scored just 53 runs in the season with two of his innings reading a lower than 120 batting Strike Rate.