PSL 2019 Qualifier preview, likely XIs: Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators clash for final berth

The points table of PSL 2019 reveals how the teams can be classified into three distinct strata: Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators have finished with 14 points apiece; Islamabad United and Karachi Kings with 10 each; and Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars languish at the bottom, with 6, which means that Qalandars maintained their record of finishing last in every edition.

Gladiators will hold a slight upper hand when they clash in the Qualifier at National Stadium, Karachi, having beaten Zalmi on both occasions the teams have met this season.

When both teams started the tournament by playing each other, Kamran Akmal (49 in 36 balls) and Misbah-ul-Haq (49* in 32) took Zalmi to 155/4, Mohammad Nawaz taking 3/25. Umar Akmal (75* in 50) triumphed in the battle of brothers, helping Gladiators win by 6 wickets with 2 balls to spare.

Zalmi did better (165/4) when the teams met again. Once again Kamran starred (72 in 50), while Kieron Pollard smashed 44 not out off 21. This time Gladiators needed only 2 wickets and 17.4 overs as Shane Watson (91* in 55) launched a furious onslaught, with support from Ahmed Shehzad (50 in 45).

Watson’s availability for the Pakistan leg has benefitted Gladiators greatly, as has the arrival of Dwayne Bravo. Watson’s 352 are the most by anyone in the tournament.

Watson, Umar Akmal, Shehzad, and Rilee Rossouw, followed by a plethora of all-rounders, have made Gladiators the strongest batting unit of the tournament. What is more, Fawad Ahmed and Sohail Tanvir have been among the most economical bowlers in the tournament.

Zalmi, on the other hand, do not boast of prolific six-hitters barring Pollard. Their batting has been more solid than destructive. However, they boast of the strongest bowling unit in the tournament, including a group of four men – Hasan Ali, Liam Dawson, Pollard, and Wahab Riaz – all of whom have gone for under 7.1 an over while playing all 10 matches. Their attack has been further bolstered by Tymal Mills’ arrival.

Head to head

Zalmi held a 5-4 advantage over Gladiators before the tournament, but Gladiators has now turned the tables with their two wins. There is little to choose between the sides.

Key players:

Shane Watson (Quetta Gladiators): Despite not bowling in the PSL 2019, Watson has been Gladiators’ MVP in the tournament. With 352 runs at 44 and a strike rate of 141, he towers above others in the batting charts. He had obliterated Zalmi the last time they had met, and Gladiators will hope for an encore.

Kieron Pollard (Peshawar Zalmi): Pollard’s 10 innings have fetched him just 196 runs, but they have come at an absurd strike rate of 180, including 18 sixes. While he has not got the wickets, his economy rate of 6.78 makes wonderful reading.

Likely XIs:

Quetta Gladiators: Shane Watson, Ahmed Shehzad, Rilee Rossouw, Umar Akmal, Dwayne Bravo, Anwar Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Hasnain, Fawad Ahmed.

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

Prediction

Gladiators to win and make it to the final.