Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi, Pakistan Super League 2020, Today Match Prediction 26 Feb 2020

mls vs psz Match Prediction & Analysis

Multan Sultans have had an uneven start to Pakistan Super League 2020. They won their first match against Lahore Qalandars but then suffered a whopping loss in their very next match against Islamabad United. Multan is currently 4th on the table with 2 points and a net run rate of +0.197. They will now be hosting Peshawar Zalmi who is in a similar situation.

Peshawar suffered a close loss by 10 runs in their first match of the season against Karachi Kings but came back strongly to beat Quetta Gladiators in their next match. They are now 3rd on the points table with 2 points and a net run rate of +0.210. It will be interesting to see which team goes ahead after this encounter.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Multan Sultans Preview

Multan Sultans's batting unit has been inconsistent so far. Captain Shan Masood has got starts but not converted them into big ones. James Vince played a good hand with a 42 in the last match but would need to take a lot more responsibility in a batting unit that seems brittle.

They have the talent but the likes of Moeen Ali and Rilee Rossouw would have to fire. Zeeshan Ashraf top-scored with 50 in the game against Islamabad United and he may be the batsman to watch out for now.

On paper, Multan has a good bowling unit with the likes of Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan, Imran Tahir and Shahid Afridi in their ranks. However, they haven't really performed collectively as of yet. Tanvir hasn't looked penetrative and Tahir conceded runs in the last match. If they can, however, find a way to bowl well in tandem they will create difficulties for the opposition.

Multan Sultans Predicted Playing XI:

Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Rilee Rossouw, James Vince, Imran Tahir, Moeen Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Shan Masood (c), Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ilyas, Zeeshan Ashraf (wk)

Multan Sultans Actual Playing XI:

RR Rossouw, Mohammad Ilyas, Imran Tahir, S Tanvir, James Vince, Shan Masood, Moeen Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Khushdil Shah, SMSK Afridi, Zeeshan Ashraf

Peshawar Zalmi Preview

After losing a close one in their first match, Peshawar Zalmi bounced back really well in their next game and toppled defending champions Quetta Gladiators by 6 wickets. The victory was achieved courtesy a special bowling performance where they restricted Quetta for just 148. Kamran Akmal's spectacular 101 off 55 balls then sealed the game for the team with 9 balls to spare.

Peshawar will now hope that the others in their batting also perform. The likes of Tom Banton, Liam Livingstone, Shoaib Malik and Haider Ali have the capability to really push the opposition on the backfoot. They have enough batting depth and if they play to their strengths then Peshawar will be a destructive force to watch out for this season.

Peshawar's bowling is their main strength. In Hasan Ali and Wahab Riaz, they have two of the most dangerous pacemen in the tournament. Both produced great spells in the last match and would be eager to continue that rhythm. However, they would need more support from the likes of Rahat Ali. Teen pace sensation Mohammad Amir Khan bowled excellently in the last match against Quetta and he may turn out to be the team's X-Factor going ahead.

Peshawar Zalmi Predicted Playing XI:

Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal (wk), Daren Sammy (c), Wahab Riaz, Liam Dawson, Rahat Ali, Liam Livingstone, Hasan Ali, Tom Banton, Haider Ali, Mohammad Amir Khan

Peshawar Zalmi Actual Playing XI:

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

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Multan Cricket Stadium is generally a good batting surface which slows down as the game progresses. Bowlers who know how to vary their lengths will enjoy it here. But batsmen should dominate. The weather on the day of the game is expected to be clear and pleasant.

Venue Details

There hasn't been a T20I played at the Multan Cricket Stadium yet. However, it has been a good venue for Tests and ODIs with some big totals achieved. We can expect another high-scoring encounter in the game between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi.

Toss: To Bowl

In the last few games of the season, sides batting second have been doing better. Hence, the team winning the toss is likely to bowl first.