PSL 2020, Match 10, Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings, Preview – Shan Masood and Co aim to consolidate their top position

Karachi Kings lost their previous game against Quetta Gladiators.

Published - 27 Feb 2020, 18:49 IST | Updated - 27 Feb 2020, 18:49 IST

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Multan Sultans have so far performed decently well in PSL 2020. Sultans have won two games out of their three outings that have helped them in taking the prime position in the league table. In the previous game, they outclassed the in-form side of Peshawar Zalmi by six wickets.

They picked some positives from that match but they will be quite aware of the weak links that were exposed. On one side, their the bowlers managed to restrict the opponents while their top-order collapsed while chasing a nominal score of 123.

Karachi Kings, with a formidable bowling line up, failed in their previous outing where they lost the match against Quetta Gladiators. It was a woeful day for the Kings in PSL 2020 where their bowlers and batsmen failed to perform in their respective departments. Kings’ top-order that comprises of Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khana and Alex Hales, was unable to muster big knock with the bat whereas the bowlers like Mohammad Amir and Chris Jordan couldn’t grab wickets in their previous encounter.

Team Combination

Multan Sultans

Sultans asked Moeen Ali to open the innings alongside James Vince in the previous game. And, that idea of the team management backfired and now they will look to bring back Shan Masood back to his usual position. Meanwhile, they have an opportunity to test their in-form batsman Rilee Rossouw on No.3, who is in good form with the bat.

Khusdil Shah, Zeeshan Ashraf has done well for the team in the last couple of games. Hence, they are expected to smoke some runs from the middle-order. The team management might ask Moeen Ali to come out at number five or six positions where he gets the liberty to smack the bowlers. This might help him in gaining his prime form in PSL 2020.

On the other hand, Sultans’ bowling unit has nothing much to tinker with Mohammad Irfan, Sohail Tanvir and Mohammad Ilyas steering their bowling force. Imran Tahir will lead the spin-bowling attack with Shahid Afridi taking the responsibility from the other end.

Playing XI: Shan Masood (C), James Vince, Rilee Rossouw, Khushdil Shah, Moeen Ali, Shahid Afridi, Zeeshan Ashraf (WK), Sohail Tanvir, Imran Tahir, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Ilyas

Karachi Kings

Karachi Kings suffered a defeat in their third game of PSL 2020 and that might have been an eye-opener for their side. Their power lies in their top-order that comprises of Babar Azam, Alex Hales and Sharejeel Khan and it was quite visible in their defeat. The trio didn’t manage to click good knocks with the bat that exposed their middle-order thoroughly, who failed to rescue their team from crunch situation.

They will have to give a check over the same and they might opt for a couple of changes like Mohammad Rizwan can come in for Cameron Delport and Awais Zia for Chadwick Walton. This will certainly give a much-needed strength to the middle-order of the team. Zia was in red hot form for his domestic team but he is still waiting for his chance to the big shot. And, he might get his game against Multan Sultans.

In bowling, they are short of a wicket-taking spinner in their side. Hence, Imad Wasim has to come performing with the best of his abilities. Meanwhile, the fast bowling attack under Mohammad Amir and Chris Jordan is enough to restrict the opponent from scoring runs in Powerplays and in death overs.

Playing XI:-Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khan, Alex Hales, Cameron Delport/Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Imad Wasim (C), Chadwick Walton(wk)/Awais Zia, Iftikhar Ahmed, Umaid Asif, Chris Jordan, Mohammad Amir, Arshad Iqbal.

The focus will be on

Babar Azam (Karachi Kings)

Babar Azam is currently the leading run-scorer for his team Karachi Kings with 104 runs in two games. He is the number one T20I batsman in international cricket, who is currently the third all-time leading run-scorer in PSL with 1147 runs. His performance will define the route of Karachi Kings’ ship.

Rilee Rossouw (Multan Sultans)

Rilee Rossouw, the left-handed will have the role of an anchor to play in the upcoming game for Multan Sultans. He has shown some glimpses of his good form in the past couple of matches. And, he is expected to continue with the same against Karachi Kings. There is no doubt that he is a match-winner, who can turn the game towards his team from any crunchy situation on the back of his batting forte.