PSL 2023 Match 8 | Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars: Match Preview, Probable XI, and Prediction
Karachi Kings will be aiming to end their losing streak. (Twitter)
Karachi Kings will cross swords with Lahore Qalandars in the eighth match of the ongoing season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2023) on Sunday, February 19 at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi. The last time Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars squared off in a game, it saw Karachi Kings thumping the opposition.
The defending champions have started their campaign on a winning note, having won their opening encounter against the Multan Sultans in the last ball thriller. In the first match, Qalandars players gave a good account of themselves. Senior players like skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Hussain Talat performed well to help the team get a win to start their campaign on a high.
With the experience of seasoned T20 players like David Wiese, Qalandars look like a formidable team. The addition of Sikandar Raza has been brilliant and the team will be benefitted having a three-dimensional player like the Zimbabwean in their ranks.
It's been a horrible start for the Karachi Kings in the PSL 8. Having lost three games on the bounce, the Imad Wasim-led side sits at the bottom of the points table. Karachi, meanwhile, have been good with the bat so far but have leaked runs at crucial junctures of the game which has led to their downfall in three consecutive games.
In the last game against the Quetta Gladiators, despite reducing the opposition to 23/4, they gave plenty in the middle and at the back end. Andrew Tye, who was the most expensive bowler in Karachi's last game may have to sit out. If Tye sits out then James Fuller is most likely to replace him in the playing XI. Kings could make changes as they look for a first win of the season.
Match Details
- Date & Time: February 19, 07:30 PM IST
- Venue: National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi
- Live Telecast & Streaming: Sony Sports Network & Sony Liv App
Pitch Report: The pitch of the National Stadium has always been a paradise for the batters. The team winning the toss will choose to bat first to make good use of the excellent batting conditions. Meanwhile, the pacers might get some assistance in the initial few overs, whereas the Spinners will surely come into play in the middle overs. The average first innings score at this venue is around over 175, which makes this game a high-scoring one.
Probable Playing XIs
Karachi Kings: James Vince, Sharjeel Khan, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Matthew Wade (wk), Imad Wasim (C), Irfan Khan, James Fuller, Imran Tahir, Muhammad Musa, Mohammad Amir
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Shai Hope (wk), Mirza Tahir Baig, Kamran Ghulam, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Liam Dawson, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi (C), Zaman Khan
Prediction
Based on the current form, Lahore Qalandars will start as favorites to win their game against Karachi Kings. The Imad Wasim-led Kings will have to raise their overall game with bat and ball in order to compete with the Qalandars.
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 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
