Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi, Semi-final 1, Lahore: Preview, likely XIs, prediction

It’s quite a big day for Multan Sultans. They’ll play their first semi-final in PSL history when they take on Peshawar Zalmi on Tuesday in Lahore, and the hope is, as far as they are concerned, they can continue making history and make their way to the final.

Multan have been the most impressive team in PSL 2020 so far. They have finished atop the six-team table, three full points clear of second-placed Karachi Kings, and were the first team to make their way into the next stage of the competition.

Meanwhile, Peshawar had to wait till the final day of the league stage to know of their fate. They had played all their league matches, and had to wait for the results of the clashes between Lahore Qalandars and the Sultans, as well as Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators, to know where they stood.

As it turned down, despite Quetta’s victory, they didn’t have the required runs to finish above Peshawar. However, now that they’re in the second stage of the tournament, they’ll need to display a lot more killer instinct than they managed in the league, when they finished with just four wins from 10 matches.

It’s Multan’s first semi-final, but they have been by far the best side in the tournament so far, and in all likelihood, they’ll continue making history.

Key players

Imran Tahir (Multan Sultans): Just how important Tahir is to this Sultans line-up was clear when they rested him for their last league match. Chris Lynn hammered the bowlers during a blistering century, and Tahir, their highest wicket-taker with 10 so far, will be welcomed back with open arms in the semi-final.

Wahab Riaz (Peshawar Zalmi): If Multan rely on Tahir, it’s Wahab Riaz doing the business for Peshawar. The pacer has been superb this season, with 11 wickets in nine matches, and is his team’s highest wicket-taker. His contest with Tahir will be good to watch.

Likely XIs

Multan Sultans: Shan Masood (c), Zeeshan Ashraf (wk), Ravi Bopara, Asad Shafiq, Moeen Ali, Khushdil Shah, Shahid Afridi, Imran Tahir, Mohammad Ilyas, Junaid Khan, Sohail Tanvir

Peshawar Zalmi: Kamran Akmal (wk), Imam-ul-Haq, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Shoaib Malik, Hammad Azam, Wahab Riaz (c), Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir Khan

Prediction Multan to make it to their first final.