The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has already provided some interesting and exciting encounters since it resumed on June 9 in Abu Dhabi and another clash of similar sorts can be expected when Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators take on each other on Saturday, 12 June.
The reason behind expecting a thriller is the zeal and the hunger that the two teams would have when they face each other.
Just going back in time a bit when the PSL was suspended due to the rise in COVID-19 cases within the franchises, Quetta had played five matches till then and suffered defeats in four of them and were bottom placed with just two points under their belt.
Another reason that the Gladiators would be striving for a win against Zalmi is the last match that the two sides played against each other. It was a high-scoring encounter in Karachi that saw Zalmi chase down a big target of 199 runs with 3 wickets in hand and as many balls to spare.
The memories of that match would still be very fresh in the minds of Quetta players and they would look to turn the tables on Saturday.
Peshawar on the other side were enjoying a decent outing in the first leg of the tournament but had a horrible start to the second leg on Thursday when they were defeated by Lahore Qalandars.
Standing at the losing end is probably fine and is part and parcel of the game but never when you reduce your opponent, batting first to 25/4 and then giving away the match. This is exactly what happened with the Wahab Riaz-led side.
Despite picking up early wickets while bowling first, Zalmi bowling unit were taken on by Ben Dunk (48 off 33) and Tim David (64* off 36). Later, James Faulkner chipped in with a 7-ball 22 to help his side put up a brilliant score of 170/8 in 20 overs. Qalandars eventually won the match by 10 runs.
Nevertheless, this is not the end of the world and the tournament has just resumed. But the Peshawar side definitely needs to keep a check on the way they gave away runs against Lahore to get themselves back in the hunt. They have three wins and as many defeats in the six PSL matches so far in the competition.
Match Details
Match: Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi, Match 19
Date and Time: 12th June 2021, at 9:30 PM IST
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Pitch Report
The track in Abu Dhabi might be slow. The batsmen need to begin the proceedings cautiously and not go for big shots straight away.
The spinners would play a key role in the middle overs while the dew can also be a major factor in the later stage of the game. Still, if you win the toss, elect to field first.
Team News
Peshawar Zalmi: Peshawar won’t be looking to make many changes in their playing XI but captain Wahab needs to rejig his on-field planning. For instance, the decision of giving the ball to Fabian Allen against Ben Dunk despite having an idea about the latter’s strike-rate against the left-arm spinners. Allen eventually returned with an economy rate of 12 in three overs.
The think tank still has time to make a note of such mistakes and get the side bank on track. Talking about the squad, Peshawar have experienced customers like Shoaib Malik, Wahab himself, David Miller, Kamran Akmal in the ranks who can chip in with crucial contributions when required.
In fact, Malik did try his best to take his team over the line but unfortunately, he was hit wicket for 73 off 48 and failed to take his team over the line.
Quetta Gladiators: Quetta have probably acquired the services of one of the finest all-rounders in the world especially in T20 format, Andre Russell. He is mighty dangerous with the bat when he is on song, can chip in with crucial overs and is a spectacular fielder.
The Caribbean cricketer is a perfect example of a three-dimensional player who has the ability to win matches for his side single-handedly.
Apart from the West Indies all-rounder, Gladiators are ‘blessed’ to have two of the most experienced lads not just in their own setup but in the PSL, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Faf du Plessis.
The two have led their national sides and do have an idea about how to get their sides out from a tricky situation. Faf had shown his class for CSK in the now suspended IPL with the bat while Sarfaraz on the other hand might be more popular for his ‘yawning’ photo that went viral during the World Cup 2019 but no one can take away the fact that he is one of the most successful captains that Pakistan had.
His captain’s trophy cabinet has a U19 World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy.
The wicket-keeper’s experience as a skipper would play a vital role in how Gladiators fare.
Probable XI
Peshawar Zalmi
Kamran Akmal (wk), Imam ul Haq, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, David Miller, Sherfane Rutherford, Wahab Riaz, Fabian Allen, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Irfan, Rovman Powell
Quetta Gladiators
Usman Khan, Faf du Plessis, Cameron Delport, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c&wk), Azam Khan, Andre Russell, Mohammad Nawaz, Zahid Mehmood, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Khan Shinwari and Jack Wildermuth
Fantasy XI
Sarfaraz Ahmed, Azam Khan, Shoaib Malik (VC), Faf du Plessis, Haider Ali, Andre Russell (C), Mohammad Nawaz, Wahab Riaz, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Hasnain and Zahid Mehmood