The conclusion of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season six is just around the corner Multan Sultan’s opponent for the final will be decided when Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United lock horns tonight in Abu Dhabi.
Islamabad United had to taste the defeat from Multan Sultans while Peshawar knocked out Karachi Kings in a closely fought eliminator.
United have a second chance to qualify for the final as they topped the points table but Zalmi are coming into this match with a win on their back.
Tonight. 22nd June. 9 PM.
The #YellowStorm takes on the #RedHotSquad.
Which team will make it to the final? Tell us with the official hashtag #IUvPZ#HBLPSL6 | #MatchDikhao | #IUvPZ pic.twitter.com/F9rquA0mex
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) June 22, 2021
ISLAMABAD UNITED
Two-time PSL winners had the momentum however, they failed to come out on top in the first qualifier. They lost to Sultans by 31 runs as they eventually finished with just 149, losing all their wickets in a chase of 180.
United’s over-reliance on their top-order was well and truly apparent as they were out of the chase while bowling was not on the mark as they gave away many lose overs
Read: Multan Sultans beat Islamabad United, make maiden PSL final qualification
United looks strong on paper and also have not many flaws in the team lineup but performing under pressure is something they’d want to get better at.
They have one of the best batting lineups of the competition and that have shown in the competition. Besides, the presence of multiple versatile spinners adds balance to their lineup. Also, the surface is now beginning to assist the spinners and that will certainly be an advantage for United.
The defeat to Sultans was definitely a wake-up call for them after winning the previous five games. Beating them is going to be a colossal challenge for Peshawar Zalmi.
PESHAWAR ZALMI
Zalmi had a decent campaign in the group stage but poor performance at the end of the pool stage saw them lose second spot on the table to Multan Sultans.
Just when it was looking that they are losing the plot, they bounced back into the contention with a much-needed win over Karachi Kings in the first eliminator.
Zalmi managed to register a decent win in the eliminator, that didn’t come without Zalmi exposing their vulnerabilities. Their batting looked fragile as their chase was more or less pulled by Hazratullah Zazai.
Read: Peshawar Zalmi beat Karachi Kings in PSL 6’s Eliminator
Chasing a total of 176, Zalmi kept losing wickets and had it not been for a terrific inning by Zazai, they would have struggled to chase the total.
Zalmi look a decent side with an excellent combination of youth and experience. The presence of Shoaib Malik in the middle of their lineup adds a calming influence that can come in handy in high-pressure situations.
Their bowling contains heavyweights in Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan, who both big match players. If Peshawar Zalmi are able to perform as per their potential, beating them is going to be a hard task for United.
Predicted XIs:
Islamabad United: Usman Khawaja, Colin Munro, Brandon King, Asif Ali, Muhammad Akhlaq (wk), Shadab Khan (c), Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Faheem Ashraf, Akif Javed
Peshawar Zalmi: Hazratullah Zazai, Kamran Akmal, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Khalid Usman, Wahab Riaz, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Irfan
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