Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United, Pakistan Super League 2021, Today Match Prediction 27 Feb 2021

psz vs isu Match Prediction & Analysis

We have already seen several high scoring games in the Pakistan Super League and the 10th game between Peshawar Zalmi and the Islamabad United would be an important one for both the sides. Peshawar Zalmi come into this contest after a massive win in their last game against Quetta Gladiators while Islamabad United overpowered Karachi Kings in their last game. The side that wins this one would be on the top of the points. 

Peshawar Zalmi had won all the three games they have played against Islamabad United in the last two editions and this is something they would be drawing inspiration from. Islamabad United has momentum on their side and it would be interesting to see if they are able to break that jinx here. But given the strengths of the two sides we expect it to be a close contest. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Peshawar Zalmi Preview

Wahab Riaz would be happy with the manner in which his side chased down that huge total against the Quetta Gladiators winning the game by 3 wickets. They have done so in back to back games and shall carry that confidence forward. However they are up against a strong team and need to be on the top of their game to win this one. 

Imam-ul-Haq had done well in the last two games and a similar show would be expected from him and his opening partner Kamran Akmal. In the middle order they have good players in the side with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sherfane Rutherford and Shoaib Malik. The side has good depth in batting with Haider Ali and Wahab Riaz proving their batting skills.  

They bowled poorly for the second consecutive game and apart from Mohammad Imran other bowlers are looking in poor shape for now. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Mohammad Irfan have to bowl well with the new ball in this game. Saqib Mahmood and Riaz did pick up wickets but they have been leaking runs which they cannot afford to do in this game. 

Peshawar Zalmi Predicted Playing XI:

Wahab Riaz (c), Kamran Akmal (wk), Imam-ul-Haq, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Shoaib Malik, Haider Ali, Sherfane Rutherford, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Saqib Mahmood, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Irfan

Peshawar Zalmi Actual Playing XI:

Kamran Akmal, Umaid Asif, Shoaib Malik, Haider Ali, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sherfane Rutherford, Saqib Mahmood, Mohammad Imran, Wahab Riaz, Imam-ul-Haq

Islamabad United Preview

Shadab Khan’s side looks in great form at the moment and has won both its games so far. It was a terrific run chase from the team in the last game against the Karachi Kings where they won by 5 wickets. Going into this game Khan would look for an improved show from his bowlers as they ended conceding a total of 196 runs. Peshawar Zalmi has a strong batting line-up and a good show would be expected from the team here. 

Philip Salt and Alex Hales make a formidable opening pair and the side would expect a good start from them especially Salt who hasn’t scored runs in two games. Shadab Khan also needs to bat well after two consecutive failures. Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed and Hussain Talat look in good form at the moment and the side has two powerful hitters to follow in Asif Ali and Lewis Gregory which makes their batting look good. 

The bowling attack would like to put the upset of the last game behind. Hasan Ali and Ashraf will need to strike early with the new ball in this game. Mohammad Wasim Jr. Shadad Khan and Zafar Gohar must check their line and bowl well in the middle overs. With Gregory and Talat in the attack the side has good bowling options going into this game.  

Islamabad United Predicted Playing XI:

Shadab Khan (c), Philip Salt (wk), Alex Hales, Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Lewis Gregory, Faheem Ashraf, Zafar Gohar, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr

Islamabad United Actual Playing XI:

Alex Hales, Iftikhar Ahmed, Fawad Ahmed, Hussain Talat, Paul Stirling, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Hasan Ali, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Phil Salt

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Karachi would see clear skies on February 27 and we expect to see another run feast here. The pitch is flat and this is allowing batsmen to play their strokes freely. There is little margin for error as far as the bowlers are concerned and the side that bats first in this game would have to eye a total in excess of 180 runs to feel comfortable in this game.

Venue Details

National Stadium Karachi has one of the best batting surfaces in the world where batsmen can play their strokes easily and they are further aided by the quick outfield. Fast bowlers don’t have much for them on the surface. Spinners have done well in the past as the ball can often turn sharply here.

Toss: To Bowl

Eight games have been played so far in the season and the side bowling first has won all of them. The pitch has been a good one to bat on where sides have successfully chased down big scores. Thus we believe the side winning the toss should have no hesitation in bowling first.