Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi, Pakistan Super League 2020, Today Match Prediction 21 Feb 2020

krk vs psz Match Prediction & Analysis

Karachi Kings will be looking to start their campaign on a winning note when they take on Peshawar Zalmi in the 2nd match of 2020 Pakistan Super League at National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on Friday.

With Dean Jones being named as head coach for Karachi Kings, the franchisee will be hoping that they can do the distance in this year’s competition. Bowling all-rounder Imad Wasim will lead the side for this season. Kings will be looking to assemble a winning combination for their opening fixture.

On the other hand, Last season Finalists Peshawar Zalmi will be hoping that they can deliver consistent performances with the bat and ball in this year’s tournament. Skipper Darren Sammy and co. will be keen to put on a decent show in this opening game of the competition.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Karachi Kings Preview

The franchise has certainly made a notable acquisitions in the PSL draft for this year’s competition. Chris Jordan, Alex Hales, Ali Khan, Mitchell McClenaghan, Cameron Delport and Chadwick Walton are the new players signed by the franchise for the fifth edition of the league.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Alex Hales, Babar Azam and Cameron Delport to deliver the bulk of the runs. Last year, Babar Azam was the standout performer with the bat with 335 runs in 11 innings at an average of 30.45 with three half-centuries to his name.

Besides Azam, Cameron Delport also showed excellent form with the bat in the previous edition of the league. For his previous franchise, Islamabad United, Left-hander accumulated 355 runs in 12 innings at an average of 32.27 with one century and half-century to his name.

Coming into this tournament, Opener Alex Hales will be looking to continue his excellent form with the bat. Hales was the standout player with the bat for Sydney Thunder in the recently concluded Big Bash League played in Australia. The 31-year old managed to accumulate 576 runs in 17 matches with six half-centuries to his name.

Wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan, Chadwick Walton and Iftikhar Ahmed will make-up the middle-order for the Kings for their opening game of the season. Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed have shown decent form with the bat in the T20 format.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Chris Jordan, Mohammad Amir and Umaid Asif to make crucial breakthroughs with the new ball. Left-arm orthodox Umer Khan performed exceedingly well with the ball in the last year’s tournament. Umer Khan claimed 15 wickets in 11 matches at a superb economy rate of 7.11.

Karachi Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Imad Wasim (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Alex Hales, Babar Azam, Cameron Delport, Chadwick Walton, Iftikhar Ahmed, Umer Khan, Chris Jordan, Mohammad Amir, Umaid Asif.

Karachi Kings Actual Playing XI:

Chris Jordan, Arshad Iqbal, Chadwick Walton, Babar Azam, SI Wasim, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Sharjeel Khan, Cameron Delport, Iftikhar Ahmed, Umaid Asif

Peshawar Zalmi Preview

2017 PSL Champions will be looking to go one step further in this year’s competition. The signings of Shoaib Malik, Liam Livingstone and Tom Banton will bolster the batting resources for the side for the coming season. Lewis Gregory and Carlos Brathwaite are two genuine all-rounders picked up in the PSL draft for this season.

In the batting department, the side will be depending on the likes of Kamran Akmal, Imam-ul-Haq and Liam Livingstone to do the bulk of the scoring. Last year, opening batsman Kamran Akmal was the standout performer with the bat. He accumulated 357 runs in 13 innings at an average of 27.46 with three half-centuries to his name.

Besides Akmal, Imam-ul-Haq also had a decent outing with the bat for Peshawar Zalmi. Left-hander scored 341 runs in 12 innings at an average of 28.41 with four half-centuries to his name. England middle-order batsman Liam Livingstone also made an impression in his debut PSL season and will be keen to make an impact for his new franchise Peshawar Zalmi in this year’s competition. For his previous franchise Karachi Kings, Livingstone scored 321 runs in 11 innings at an average of 32.10 with three half-centuries to his name. Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin and Darren Sammy will be given the task to go berserk in the last five overs of the innings.

In the bowling department, the onus will be relying on the pace trio of Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali and Rahat Ali to make early inroads with the new ball. Liam Dawson will be the lone spinner for this opening fixture.

Peshawar Zalmi Predicted Playing XI:

Kamran Akmal (wk), Imam-ul-Haq, Liam Livingstone, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Darren Sammy (captain), Liam Dawson, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Amir Khan.

Peshawar Zalmi Actual Playing XI:

DJG Sammy, Rahat Ali, Hasan Ali, Shoaib Malik, Liam Livingstone, Kamran Akmal, Haider Ali, Mohammad Mohsin, Tom Banton, Wahab Riaz, Liam Dawson

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared for the game will be decent for batting. The bowlers will need to toil hard for wickets on this placid surface. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Friday is going to be bright and sunny.

Venue Details

National Cricket Stadium in Karachi is going to host the second game of the 2020 Pakistan Super League between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi. Peshawar Zalmi will take heart from the fact they have an excellent head-to-head record against Karachi Kings in the history of competition.

Toss: To Bat

The side that wins the toss would be looking to bat first and put on a competitive total on the board. Average score at the venue is around 160 to 170 runs.