PSL 2020, Match 27, Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans, Preview – Zalmi's pursuit of a win continues in their last league game

Peshawar Zalmi will play their last league match of PSL 2020.

Published - 12 Mar 2020, 19:46 IST | Updated - 12 Mar 2020, 19:46 IST

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Multan Sultans are having their by far the best season in the history of Pakistan Super League 2020. They are currently leading the points table with 12 points and have already qualified into the play-offs. Sultans became the first team to do so in this season.

They got off to a stable start to their campaign with a win against Lahore Qalandars but lost the very next game Islamabad United. However, after that, the things changed for Sultans as their players began performing brilliantly in every respective department of the game. So far they have suffered only one defeat in their eight outings with one match getting abandoned due to rain. They have nothing to fear in the upcoming match against Peshawar Zalmi and will look to give final touches to their side ahead of the play-offs.

Peshawar Zalmi is also a step behind qualifying into the playoffs as they are currently on 2nd position with 9 points. If they managed a victory against Sultans in the upcoming clash then they will become the second team to qualify for the play-off stage. But, they will have to produce some brilliance on the field in order to turn the tables against the in-form side of Multan Sultans.

They got off to a poor start to their tournament as they suffered defeat in their campaign opener before tasting their maiden win in PSL 2020. One thing so far that remained consistent during the journey of Zalmi is they lost games alternatively before making a strong comeback with consecutive wins against Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United.

Now, it will be interesting to watch if they can avenge the loss of their previous defeat against the same Sultans. It is going to be a crucial last league game for Peshawar Zalmi where they will have to register a clinical win in order to qualify for the playoffs.

Team Combinations:

Multan Sultans

Sultans will come out with James Vince and Zeeshan Ashraf as their openers followed by Moeen Ali, Shan Masood, Rilee Rossouw and Khushdil Shah in the middle order of the team. At the moment, Rilee Rossouw, the left-handed batsman is in red hot form with the bat. So far he has mustered 189 runs for his team and he is currently the leading run-scorer for his team in the 5th edition of PSL. Meanwhile, their bowling unit has given impressive performances until now due to which their side has managed to reap good results.

Probable XI: Zeeshan Ashraf (wk), James Vince, Moeen Ali, Shan Masood, Rilee Rossouw, Khushdil Shah, Shahid Afridi, Imran Tahir, Mohammad Ilyas, Junaid Khan, Sohail Tanvir

Peshawar Zalmi

Peshawar Zalmi will look to go with Tom Banton and Kamran Akmal in their last league game. In middle-order, they have Liam Livingstone, Haider Ali and Shoaib Malik, who can turn the tables towards their team on the back of some brilliant performance with the bat. However, they will be hopeful as their opener Banton to regain his form in the last league match and if he managed a breakthrough knock with his bat then the chances of Peshawar Zalmi winning the game will be quite high. Also, they will expect their bowlers to complement their batsmen with the ball.

Probable XI: Kamran Akmal (wk), Tom Banton, Liam Livingstone, Shoaib Malik, Haider Ali, Lewis Gregory, Carlos Brathwaite, Wahab Riaz (c), Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali

Focus will be on

Shoaib Malik (Peshawar Zalmi)

Shoaib Malik is in red hot form with the bat for Peshawar Zalmi. He has mustered 209 runs in seven games with the help of three fifties. He is one of the top in-form players for his team in the middle order and if he manages to click a good knock for his team then the chances of Zalmi winning a must-win game will be quite high.

Rilee Rossouw (Multan Sultans)

Rilee Rossouw is playing quite impressively in the fifth edition of PSL. His sublime hitting has been a headache for the bowlers as they look pretty helpless when he is batting in the match. He has scored a ton in this season and has mustered a total of 189 runs in seven games. And, he will be a vital player for Multan Sultans in the match against Peshawar Zalmi.