2 PSL Heavyweights to lock-horns tonight

By Web Desk — The second match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 sees Quetta Gladiators lock horns with Peshawar Zalmi at National Stadium Karachi tonight. The match is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm.

Quetta Gladiators – Strong and weak points

Batting was a major concern for them, so they focused on fixing that weakness. Roy, Vince, and Hetmyer should improve their power-hitting while Iftikhar also is not a slouch when it comes to smashing a few around the park, although he has never really thrived in the PSL. Sarfaraz, not Duckett, should be the main anchor.

Quetta’s pace attack features mostly local names, with the exception of Faulkner, who will be a major contributor, especially if Mohammad Hasnain is suspended for his bowling action, which is being scrutinized by the ICC. Hasnain has been the leading wicket-taker for Quetta for the past two years. Naseem Shah gives him some support, but he has yet to reach full stride in the PSL. Perhaps this is his golden chance.

Mohammad Nawaz will again be the main spinner in Quetta, but he could be assisted by Afghan wrist spinner Noor Ahmad and maybe even by Iftikhar Ahmed. Shahid Afridi has been tested Covid+ive, so he will not be available for QG for a couple of matches.

The Gladiators’ bowling is still their biggest weakness. Faulker is a welcome addition to the Gladiators, but with Hasnain’s participation in the tournament unclear and Shah yet to prove himself, it looks as though they are still lacking a quality bowler.

Peshawar Zalmi — Stong and weak areas

Peshawar has plenty of power hitters, especially in their top and middle orders. Hazratullah Zazai, Haider Ali, and Shoaib Malik can all hit many balls out of the park. In the PSL last year, Kamran Akmal did not have a great season, but still finished among the top 10 on the scoring charts and can still be considered a dangerous batter, though he will not be available for a few matches for his testing corona+ive. Zalmi captain Wahab Riaz is also suffering from coronavirus and in his absence all-rounder Shoaib Malik is likely to lead the team.

Zalmi let Irfan, Umaid, and Imran go, but added local replacements in the form of Sohail Khan and Arshad Iqbal.

The most exciting bowling addition is probably Usman Qadir, who was criminally underused by Multan last year and now finds a new home. He is considered by some to be the best legspinner in the country, so it will be interesting to see how he does in the full PSL in 2022.

This year, Zalmi will once again have to match their batters’ performances with their bowlers, who are a batting-heavy side.

Potential playing XIs

Quetta Gladiators: Will Smeed, Ben Duckett, Shimron Hetmyer, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, James Faulkner, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Khurram Shehzad, Sohail Tanvir, Naseem Shah

Peshawar Zalmi: Hazratullah Zazai, Imam-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Haider Ali, Sherfane Rutherford, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Amad Butt, Wahab Riaz, Usman Qadir, Pat Brown