PSL 2020, Match 3, Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans, Preview – Both sides aim to flag off their campaign on a high after last year's dismal performance

Both the teams will hope to start the season on a winning note.

Published - 20 Feb 2020, 18:01 IST | Updated - 20 Feb 2020, 18:01 IST

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Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans ended as the last two teams in the previous season of PSL. There is no doubt over the fact that it was a forgettable season for both the teams. But, with 2020 PSL on the line, Qalandars and Sultans look fully equipped with overseas and domestic players. The interesting thing is that none of the two has ever managed to get into the playoff stage of the tournament.

This is a new season and a beginning for both the sides, who have included some impressive players in their team for the 5th edition of the tournament during the PSL draft. On one side Qalandars have batsmen like Fakhar Zaman, Chris Lynn whereas Multan Sultans has some prolific and talented bowlers like Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan. It is confirmed that the spectators will get to watch a thrilling clash during the curtain-raiser of both the teams.

Playing Combination

Lahore Qalandars

Lahore Qalandars will be led by their newly-appointed skipper Sohail Akhtar in their quest to win PSL 2020 title. They have managed to get the services of lethal opener Chris Lynn, who is in good form with the bat. He played for Brisbane Heat in the recently concluded BBL 2019-20 where he mustered 387 runs in 14 games. Lynn will be accompanied by Fakhar Zaman while opening for Qalandars.

Mohammad Hafeez, Sohail Akhtar and Ben Dunk will look to give stability to the middle-order of the team. David Wise is expected to play a crucial role of the all-rounder, who can contribute well with the bat. Even he can bowl some crucial overs for the team when needed.

On the other hand, their fast bowling attack comprises of young fast bowling sensation Haris Rauf, who hogged the spotlight in BBL 2019-20 with his fiery yorkers and dangerous bouncers, Usman Shinwari and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Probable XI: Sohail Akhtar (C), Chris Lynn, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Ben Dunk (wk)/Dane Vilas, Samit Patel, David Wiese, Haris Rauf, Usman Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Dilbar Hussain

Multan Sultans

Multan Sultan looks short of a hard-hitting batsman. But still, they cannot be taken lightly as far as their batting line-up is concerned. They have an opening pair of Shan Masood and James Vince followed by Khushdil Shah, Ravi Bopara and Rohail Nazir in the middle-order. However, if Vince loses out to Moeen Ali, Rossouw might open the innings. Even Shahid Afridi, who might be playing his last PSL, can bat brilliantly in the end. If he gets off to a good start to the season then the Sultans’ fortunes might change this year.

In bowling they have Sohail Tanvir, who is at the fag end of his career, will be a crucial bowler for his side. In the previous season, he took 15 wickets in 12 games playing for Gladiators. Now, in the 5th edition, he will be donning Sultans’ jersey, who grabbed his services in the PSL draft. Junaid Khan and Imran Tahir will be other bowlers that are expected to perform as per their reputation in international cricket.

Probable XI: Shan Masood (C), James Vince/Moeen Ali, Rilee Rossouw, Khushdil Shah, Ravi Bopara, Rohail Nazir (wk), Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Imran Tahir, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan/Mohammad Ilyas

Focus will be on

Chris Lynn (Lahore Qalandars)

Chris Lynn, the right-handed strong and hard-hitting opener from Australia is currently playing in really impressive form with the bat. He is making every single opportunity to mark his comeback in the national side. The right-handed player muscled 387 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 148.84. Lahore Qalandars will be expecting the same performance from the Aussie international.

Ravi Bopara (Multan Sultans)

Ravi Bopara, the right-handed all-rounder from England did exceedingly well in the recently concluded BPL 2019-20. He scored 198 runs and grabbed nine wickets in his 12 games. He is a utility all-rounder, who can bowl some crucial overs for his team. Even Multan Sultans will be expecting the same from Bopara going into the 5th edition of PSL.