PSL 2019 Eliminator 2 preview, likely XIs: Zalmi hold slight edge against United

Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United will meet in Eliminator 2 of PSL 2019, at National Stadium, Karachi. Zalmi have lost their last match (Qualifier against Quetta Gladiators) and United won their last (Eliminator 1 against Karachi Kings), but Zalmi have definitely been the better team in the tournament.

Indeed, one does not need to look beyond the league table to figure out that there has been a significant chasm between Zalmi and Gladiators and other teams throughout the tournament. Both teams finished on 14 points each, 4 clear of other teams.

The teams have met twice in this tournament, the sides winning one match apiece. United captain Mohammad Sami took a hat-trick to seal a 12-run win in the first, while Liam Dawson hit a four off the last ball to see Zalmi through in the second.

The Zalmi bowling attack, consisting of Hasan Ali, Tymal Mills, Wahab Riaz, Kieron Pollard, and Dawson, has been the most consistent in the tournament. None of them has conceded more than 7.3 an over, and neither has backup bowler Ibtisam Sheikh.

The batting will depend on Pollard’s sixes (one every 7 balls, strike rate 183) and the steady presence of Kamran Akmal and Imam-ul-Haq.

United will rely on their explosive top order, consisting of Luke Ronchi, Cameron Delport, Chadwick Walton, and Asif Ali, all of whom have struck at above 150 in the tournament. Alex Hales, on the other hand, was Player of the Match in Eliminator 1.

Unfortunately, the bowling has not looked as impressive with the exceptions of Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf.

Head to head

The teams have met 10 times in the history of the tournament. While United lead by a 6-4 margin, Zalmi have put up a superior show this season.

Key players:

Asif Ali (Islamabad United): Asif Ali has carved a niche of his own despite being part of an explosive batting lineup. Not only is his strike rate of 185 the best in the tournament, nobody barring Pollard is in near vicinity. He also helped Islamabad win Eliminator 1 – a match that went down to the last over – with an unbeaten 10-ball 24.

Hasan Ali (Peshawar Zalmi): Hasan Ali’s 22 wickets are the most in the tournament; and if you put a 20-over cut-off, he has the best average (12.68), the second-best strike rate (11.5), and fourth-best economy rate (6.68). It is difficult to argue with figures like those.

Likely XIs:

Peshawar Zalmi: Kamran Akmal (wk), Imam-ul-Haq, Sohaib Maqsood, Misbah-ul-Haq, Liam Dawson, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy (c), Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Tymal Mills, Sameen Gul.

Islamabad United: Luke Ronchi (wk), Cameron Delport, Alex Hales, Chadwick Walton, Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Sami (c), Muhammad Musa, Rumman Raees.

Prediction

Zalmi will take field as slight favourites given their performance in the tournament.