PSL 2021: Match 26 ISL vs PES Preview, Playing XI Updates, Live Streaming Details & Pitch Report

In their previous meeting, it was the Zalmi, who came out trumps.

Published - 16 Jun 2021, 12:41 IST | Updated - 16 Jun 2021, 12:41 IST

3 Min Read

The Islamabad United have been outstanding in the ongoing edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The Hasan Ali-led unit has won their last three games and is on the verge of becoming the first team to make the PSL playoffs.

The team has adjusted well to the playing conditions in Abu Dhabi. In their previous game, they beat the Karachi Kings after Colin Munro and Iftikhar Ahmed went berserk. Their next match is against the Peshawar Zalmi in the first of Thursday’s doubleheader.

In their previous meeting, it was the Zalmi, captained by pacer Wahab Riaz, who came out trumps. The Zalmi, on the other hand, has won five out of their first nine games, and are sitting pretty at second.

However, since they have only one game left in the first round, they can’t afford to be complacent. In their last game, Hazratullah Zazai’s carnage helped them beat the Kings comfortably.

Playing combination for ISL vs PES

Islamabad United

Munro is currently the leading run-scorer for the United with 193 runs from four games at an average and strike rate of 96.50 and 175.45 respectively. Having already scored in the 80s and 90s, the left-handed batter is again expected to play a major role for his team even next time around.

Usman Khawaja scored an unbeaten 40, but apart from that, he has to pull his socks up. Asif Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed have been in form as well. In the bowling department, Hasan Ali is their standout performer with 11 wickets. The likes of Akif Javed and Mohammad Wasim have also been decent.

Predicted XI

Islamabad United, Colin Munro, Muhammad Akhlaq (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Hasan Ali, Ali Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Akif Javed

Bench: Rohail Nazir, Muhammad Musa, Fawad Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Umar Amin, Zafar Gohar, Brandon King, Ahmed Safi Abdullah, Zeeshan Zameer

Peshawar Zalmi

Peshawar Zalmi have had contributions from most of the batters. Hazratullah Zazai stepped in with a 15-ball half-century in his very first game this season. Shoaib Malik’s form is a bit of a concern as he has succumbed to three failures in a row. Haider Ali and Kamran Akmal need to be more consistent.

Sherfane Rutherford remains as their leading run-scorer with 212 runs. In the bowling department, Wahab Riaz has been the standout with 14 wickets in eight matches. Sameen Gul and Abrar Ahmed had decent outings last time around. Mohammad Irfan picked seven wickets from as many games.

Predicted XI

Hazratullah Zazai, Kamran Akmal (wk), Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Abrar Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Irfan, Sameen Gul

Bench: David Miller, Fabian Allen, Mohammad Imran, Fidel Edwards, Imam-ul-Haq, Amad Butt, Bismillah Khan, Waqar Salamkheil, Mohammad Aamir Khan