PSL 2020, Match 19, Karachi Kings vs Multan Sultans, Preview - Imad Wasim and Co aim to seek revenge against Sultans

Multan Sultans have won back-to-back three games in a row in PSL 2020.

Published - 05 Mar 2020, 14:07 IST | Updated - 05 Mar 2020, 14:07 IST

2 Min Read

Multan Sultans have given surprising performances in the fifth edition of Pakistan Super League. They have registered back to back three wins in the tournament. At the moment, they are on the first position in the league table with eight points. Sultans looks pretty on the mark with all their players performing in their top-notch form. There is no reason that they can extend their winning streak to four by registering a brilliant victory against Karachi Kings.

On the other hand, Karachi Kings have also regained their form as they have marked two wins in a row. Moreover, they will look to avenge the loss of their previous defeat against Multan Sultans in the season. Kings have some big names and exciting players that can help them in going past the in-form side of Sultans in the upcoming match. A win from the next game will make them earn two important points that will make them stand equivalent to Multan Sultans in terms of points.

Team Combination

Multan Sultans

Zeeshan Ashraf and James Vince will most likely to open the innings for their team. The England international looks in good form with the bat. But, he is still due click a breakthrough knock for his team. Meanwhile, in the middle order, they have Shan Masood, Rilee Rossouw and Moeen Ali, who can single-handedly win the games for their side.

Even Rossouw proved the same as he smacked a 44 ball ton in the previous game against defending champions. Their skipper Shan Masood has found his peach form, who is scoring runs quite consistently for the team.

In the lower order, Sohail Tanvir and Khusdil Shah also hold the ability to smack the opposition bowlers all across the park. On the other hand, in spin bowling, they have Imran Tahir, who has done his work brilliantly followed by the trio of Mohammad Ilyas, Mohammad Irfan and Sohail Tanvir in the fast bowling. This formidable trio has successfully managed to restrict the opponents as well as defended totals in the previous games. So, there is no scope of change in their side until and unless any player sustains an injury ahead of the game.

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

Karachi Kings

After suffering a couple of defeats, Imad Wasim and Co. have marked their way back into the tournament with back to back wins. It is mostly expected that they will go out with their winning combination in the upcoming game against Sultans. Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam will operate as their openers.

Babar is in red hot form with the bat as he has mustered 187 runs in his five games with two half-centuries. In middle order Alex Hales, Cameron Delport and Chadwick Walton have been scoring runs on a high strike rate that is the biggest positive of Kings. Imad Wasim has also got a fifty in PSL 2020 that is an added advantage to the team.

In bowling, they have Chris Jordan and Mohammed Amir, who are leading the fast bowling attack quite effectively. In the previous game, Amir bowled at his best as he registered bowling figures of 4/25 against Peshawar Zalmi. He will look to replicate his influential form against Sultans in the upcoming encounter. Meanwhile, Imad Wasim and Umer Khan will take care of the spin bowling department.

Playing XI: Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khan, Alex Hales, Cameron Delport, Chadwick Walton (WK), Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim (C), Chris Jordan, Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Amir, Umer Khan

Focus will be on

Rilee Rossouw (Multan Sultans)

Rilee Rossouw, the left-handed batsman has done an appreciable job with the bat for Multan Sultans in PSL 2020. He has mustered a total of 189 runs in five games with the help of one ton. Even his strike rate is quite high that nears around 156.19. The 30-year-old performance with the bat is one of the main reason behind the success of Multan Sultans in this season. His performance will surely play a crucial role if Sultans wants to extend their winning streak to four.

Babar Azam (Karachi Kings)

Babar Azam is not leaving any stone unturned with his batting in PSL 2020. As an opener, he has so far looked quite influential for Karachi Kings. He has mustered 187 runs in five games with the help of two half-centuries. There is no doubt over the fact that his performance against Sultans will decide the fate of Kings. If he managed to click a good knock then the chances of his team winning the game will be quite high.

Head to Head

Matches played – 6 | Karachi Kings won– 3 | Multan Sultans won – 1 | NR – 1