PSL 2020, Match 30, Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings, Preview – Defending champions to lock horns with Kings in a must-win encounter

Quetta Gladiators need a big win to qualify into the semi-finals of PSL 2020.

Published - 14 Mar 2020, 15:37 IST | Updated - 14 Mar 2020, 15:37 IST

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Pakistan Super League is moving in its fag end and there are still three spots left for which five teams are giving a tough fight to each other. Only Multan Sultans have clinically qualified into the further stage of the tournament. On Sunday, in the last match of the group stage, defending champions Quetta Gladiators will lock horns with Karachi Kings at National Stadium.

Quetta Gladiators have miserably failed in this edition as they are currently on the last position in the league table. It’s been long that they have tasted a win in PSL 2020. They won their last match against Islamabad United that was played 16 days ago.

After that Gladiators have suffered four consecutive defeats due to which they have found themselves stuck in a difficult situation. One thing that defending champions need to make sure that they have to win their last league game by a big margin if they want to qualify for the semi-finals.

On the other hand, Karachi Kings look in a comfortable position with all their players playing in impressive form in their respective departments. However, they are also still away from qualifying into the further stage and they will also have to win the upcoming encounter against Gladiators.

Kings are on 2nd position with nine points and if they suffer a defeat by a big margin against defending champions then the things might go against them. So, they will look to come out with a good performance in order to qualify into the further stage in style.

Team Combination

Quetta Gladiators

Jason Roy has already left Pakistan and returned back to his country due to COVID-19 threats. Now, Gladiators might look to play with Khurram Manzoor as their opener in the upcoming game alongside Shane Watson. In middle-order Ahmed Shehzad, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Azam Khan that will have to click some good knocks with their willow in a must-win game for Gladiators.

Ben Cutting is one of the overseas player, who is expected to feature in this game and he will be a crucial player for his team due to his red hot form with the bat and ball. However, there is nothing to tweak in the bowling line-up that comprises of Mohammad Hasnain, Zahid Mahmood, Fawad Ahmed, Sohail Khan.

Probable XI: Khurram Manzoor, Shane Watson, Ahmed Shehzad, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Azam Khan, Ben Cutting, Sohail Khan, Fawad Ahmed, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Hasnain

Karachi Kings

For Karachi Kings, Sharjeel Khan and Sohail Akhtar will open the innings for their team followed by Iftikhar Ahmed, Umaid Asif, Chadwick Walton in the middle order of the team. Imad Wasim and Chris Jordan will play an important all-rounder as they can contribute well with the bat and ball.

Their bowling unit looks impressive that can restrict the opponents for a nominal score that comprises of Usama Mir, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Amir. And, Awais Zia can get his first game as a replacement for Alex Hales, who has returned back to the country due to COVID-19.

Probable XI: Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Awais Zia, Iftikhar Ahmed, Umaid Asif, Chadwick Walton, Imad Wasim, Chris Jordan, Usama Mir, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Amir

The focus will be on

Shane Watson (Quetta Gladiators)

Shane Watson has shown some glimpses of his good form with the bat but he lacks consistency. He is one of the biggest match-winners in the ranks of Gladiators, who can turn the tables towards his team in the crucial game. Hence, he will be the man in focus in the upcoming game against Kings.

Sohail Akhtar (Karachi Kings)

Sohail Akhtar has certainly regained his form with the bat in the latter part of the tournament. He has so far scored a total of 217 runs in 9 games with the help of two fifties. If he manages to click a good knock with the bat then the chances of Kings winning against Gladiators will be quite high. He is one of the players in the dugout of Kings that can single-handedly win games for his team.