PSL8 | MS vs LQ: Match Preview, Probable XI, Live Streaming, Fantasy Tips
Shaheen will lead the defending champion in PSL8
The eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is just one sleep away. The curtain-raiser is between two of the biggest franchises in the competition - Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans - i.e. the two teams who played the finale last time around.
After the reshuffling prior to the season in the PSL draft, teams have gotten more muscles to flex, and so have the Qalandars and the Sultans.
Lahore, under the leadership of Shaheen Afridi, are the reigning champions and have one of the strongest bowling lineups of the season; however, they might need more than one batter on whom they can rely over. Although the presence of players like Rashid Khan, David Weise and Sikandar Raza will give them depth and balance.
On the contrary, the Multans have an enthralling power in their batting ranging from skipper Mohammad Rizwan to Tim David, from the potency of Kieron Pollard to the class of Rilee Rossouw. On the flip side, despite having Shahnawaz Dahani and Adil Rashid, bowling is one department that can be a headache for them.
Match Details
Date & Time: February 13, 8:30 PM IST
Venue: Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan
Live Telecast & Streaming: Sony Sports Network & Sony LIV
Pitch Report
The first match of the PSL 08 will have fresh and cracking pitching on offer, meaning if the pitch at the Multan Cricket Stadium behaves to its true nature, then we will have a batting paradise.
Predicted Playing XI
Lahore Qalandars: Sam Billings (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Abdullah Shafique, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, and Ahmed Daniyal.
Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (c and wk), Usman Khan, Kieron Pollard, Shan Masood, Rilee Rossouw, Khushdil Shah, Amad Butt, Anwar Ali, Adil Rashid, Akeal Hosein, and Sahnawaz Dahani.
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicketkeeper - Mohammad Rizwan
Batters - Kieron Pollard, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman
All-rounder - Amad Butt, Sikandar Raza
Bowlers - Adil Rashid, Akeal Hosein, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi
Captain - Mohammad Rizwan
Vice-captain - Sikandar Raza
Prediction
This game has the potential to be called a clash of the titans, but both teams would need to bank on their strengths to get better off the opposite. If the Multan pitch behaves like it usually does, then Lahore will have the upper hand due to their bowling arsenal.
 "Arjun Bhalla")
