PSL 2018, Match 21, Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi – Match Predictions

The last season’s Champions Peshawar Zalmi have not quite got themselves going this season in the PSL. They have had a few good games, but they have been lacking consistency and at this stage, they are at the penultimate position in the standings. However, it’s definitely not impossible for them to make it to the knockouts. They are well and truly in the race, but they will have to win most of their games from here.

Their opponents Islamabad United are in top 4 right now and they will be breathing slightly easier. They have looked a different unit since the captain Misbah-ul-Haq has returned to the folds as he has taken complete charge and has made the team play as a unit which has yielded three victories in a row in the last three matches. However, they won’t be satisfied just yet as their place in the knockouts is not secured and there is still a fair bit of work to be done in that regard.

Probable nature of the pitch

The pitch that was used for yesterday’s games was an absolute belter. It was probably the best that they prepared all tournament and it led to some good batting display as Quetta Gladiators managed to put 180 on the board. The fans won’t mind that sort of surface once again as the T20 format is all about slam-bang and excitement which the sluggish surfaces don’t produce.

Batting first has always been fruitful in Dubai and it’s unlikely that either of the two captains if they win the toss, will invite the opposition to bat first. They will instead like to make first use of the batting conditions themselves.

Playing Combination

Islamabad United

Islamabad United have been a bit funky in the last couple of games in terms of exploiting their batting resources. They sent Shadab Khan in at no. 3 the previous game as a pinch hitter and the young man did more than what was expected of him as he played a crucial cameo of 32 off 24 with three sixes and put Islamabad on course in the chase of 164.

It won’t be surprising if they go with Shadab at that position once again. He has definitely got a bit of potential with the bat which he has shown time and again for the Pakistani national side.

Islamabad’s biggest strength is the depth of their batting. The likes of Samit Patel and Faheem Ashraf are slotted at no. 8 and no. 9 respectively at the moment and they are more than capable batsmen. Samit, in fact, plays more as a batsman than as a player and Faheem too can give the ball some serious whack.

Predicted XI: Mohammad Sami, Misbah-ul-Haq(C), JP Duminy, Luke Ronchi, Samit Patel, Steve Finn, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf

Peshawar Zalmi

Peshawar is clearly missing their skipper Darren Sammy. The X-factor that he brings to the lower order with his power game and calm and collected temperament is hard to find and the players who are entrusted with that duty at present are not able to discharge it with as much effect as the big Caribbean.

If Sammy is fit, there is no better news for Zalmi. His arrival will not only put some sting in their batting, his astuteness as a captain will make a big difference too. If he comes back, Andre Fletcher will go out and Riki Wessels will open the innings. However in case of his availability, Mohammad Hafeez will keep leading the side and Zalmi, most likely, will have an unchanged XI.

Predicted XI: Riki Wessels, Kamran Akmal (WK), Dwayne Smith, Mohammad Hafeez, Andre Fletcher/Darren Sammy, Khalid Usman, Liam Dawson, Wahab Riaz, Umaid Asif, Sameen Gul, Hasan Ali

Probable Top Performers

Shadab Khan (Islamabad United) | Riki Wessels (Peshawar Zalmi)

Head to Head

Matches – 6 Peshawar Zalmi – 3 Islamabad United – 3 Tie – 0

The timing of the match: 09:30 pm IST

Broadcast Details

TV – D Sport

The prediction is for the Islamabad United to beat the Peshawar Zalmi in this match.