PSL 2021: Match 6, Islamabad United Predicted Playing11 against Karachi Kings

Islamabad United started their campaign in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) with a three-wicket win over Multan Sultans. While it was not a very dominating display from them, they did just enough to cross the finishing line without much trouble. Bowling first, they restricted Sultans to 150 for 8 despite Mohammad Rizwan’s fine 71-run knock.

With the bat, they were in a precarious situation and were reeling at 74 for 6 at one stage. But before Sultans could make more inroads in the game, Lewis Gregory came up with a stunning knock of 49 not out to take Islamabad United home. The Islamabad-based outfit would be looking to build on their win and continue their good start in the competition when they lock horns against Karachi Kings on Wednesday (February 24).

Openers  (Phil Salt (wk), Alex Hales)

The Islamabad United openers – Phil Salt and Alex Hales – got the starts but failed to convert it into big scores. The duo added 30 runs for the first wicket before Salt departed for 13. Hales, on the other hand, scored 29 off 20 balls with the help of two fours and as many sixes before being castled by veteran Shahid Afridi.

The Islamabad management would be hoping that Salt and Hales would deliver with the bat today against Karachi’s strong bowling lineup comprising the likes of Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim. In their previous game against Quetta Gladiators, Karachi showed how they hurt the opposition after taking early wickets. Karachi took wickets at regular intervals and restricted Gladiators to just 121.

Middle-order batsmen (Shadab Khan (c), Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed)

Islamabad’s middle-order had endured terrible outings in the previous game as their skipper Shadab Khan, Hussain Talat, Asif Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed failed to deliver. Out of the four, only Talat managed to touch the double-digit mark. Talat was not impressive either as he barely touched the double-digit mark, scoring 10 off 16 balls.

Shadad, on the other hand, managed just 5 while Asif and Itftikhar scored 9 and 1 run respectively. All the four batsmen will be looking to deliver in the upcoming game after failing collectively against Sultans. The onus will be on them to guide their team to a good total.

All-rounders (Lewis Gregory, Faheem Ashraf)

Among Islamabad’s all-rounders, Lewis Gregory had a game to remember against Sultans. He was the star of the show as he pulled win out of the jaws of defeat for his side. Islamabad were reeling at 74 for 6 in pursuit of 151. It looked all over for them at that stage before Gregory’s stunning unbeaten knock of 49 powered them to a win.

Gregory had also picked up two wickets earlier in the game. Just like the England all-rounder, Faheem Ashraf had also played an integral role in the win. After picking up 1 wicket, he played a fine cameo of 22 runs off just 12 balls.

Bowlers (Zafar Gohar, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr)

Islamabad’s bowlers started their campaign on a good note. The pace spearhead of the team, Hasan Ali gave away just 16 runs in 4 overs and picked up one wicket against Sultans. Mohammad Wasim Jr, on the other hand, picked up three wickets for 29 runs off his four overs. As far as Gohar is concerned, he bowled just one over for 13 runs and would be hoping to get more overs today.