Pakistan Super League (PSL) weekly preview – 25th February 2019

With 8 points from 5 matches, Quetta Gladiators top the table at exactly the halfway stage of PSL 2019. Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United stand at 6 apiece, though Zalmi are ahead on net run rate.

Lahore Qalandars, who have come last in every edition so far, have done well to secure 4 points and edge ahead of Karachi Kings on net run rate. Both Qalandars and Kings stand with a chance to make it to the Playoffs. Multan Sultans bring up the rear with a solitary win and 2 points. At this stage, let us see how the teams may shape up over the next week.

Preview: Quetta Gladiators

The Gladiators had won their first four matches of the league before their run came to a half against the Kings. Even there they scored 186/5, but Colin Munro registered the highest score in PSL history to defeat them.

That one defeat notwithstanding, the Gladiators have been the most consistent side of this edition. They boast of the top two run-scorers (Umar Akmal and Shane Watson), while Sohail Tanvir and Fawad Ahmed have been excellent with ball.

The next play against the Qalandars and the Sultans. While the Qalandars had pushed them somewhat, the Sultans barely competed. It will take an upset for the Gladiators to not qualify from here.

Peshawar Zalmi

Zalmi thrive on bowling, as they demonstrated by bowling the Qalandars for 81 and restricting the Kings to 109/9. With 15 wickets, Hasan Ali is head and shoulders ahead of any other bowler (nobody else has even 10). Wahab Riaz has impressed as well. Unfortunately, their batsmen have seldom delivered as a unit.

Zalmi next play the Sultans and United on consecutive days. They had beaten the former but lost the latter, with whom they are also tied on points, making it an interesting encounter.

Islamabad United

A more rounded side than most, United’s main performers have been their all-rounders – Samit Patel, Luke Ronchi, and Faheem Ashraf. Additionally, while Ian Bell made the most of his only appearance and Muhammad Musa and Shadab Khan bowled intelligently.

United had beaten the Kings, whom they play next, comfortably. Their next match, against Zalmi, may decide who will finish in the top two.

Lahore Qalandars

The Qalandars have rotated their players, several of whom stood up to the challenge. AB de Villiers, Fakhar Zaman, Sohail Akhtar, Haris Rauf, and Rahat Ali – the only ones to play all five matches – have been in excellent form.

Qalandars play the Gladiators and the Kings next. The Kings match is particularly important, for both teams, tied on points, are battling for a Playoffs slot.

Karachi Kings

The Kings have found an unlikely pair heroes in Imad Wasim and Liam Livingstone, though Colin Ingram stole the show in the Gladiators’ only defeat.

They play United and Qalandars next, both of whom have beaten them comprehensively.

Multan Sultans

The Sultans have played better than the points suggest. They have lost four matches out of five, but every single of their defeats have been close ones. The experience of Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi have not been able to change their fortunes.

Sultans are next up against United and Zalmi. It is not going to be easy for them.

26th February:
Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans
27th February:
Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators
Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings
28th February:
Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi
Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars
1st March:
Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi
Multan Sultans vs Quetta Gladiators