Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators, Pakistan Super League 2020, Today Match Prediction 05 Mar 2020

psz vs qtg Match Prediction & Analysis

Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators will lock horns in the 18th match of 2020 Pakistan Super League at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Based on the current form and results, there is little that separates Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators. Zalmi has won two games out of six players this season, while Gladiators have won three matches in the competition.

2017 Champions have failed to register a win in their last three matches played in the competition. Peshawar Skipper Darren Sammy will be hoping that the side can put in a clinical performance in this game.

On the other hand, Defending Champions Quetta Gladiators are currently lying third in the league table despite losing two matches in a row. The side will be looking to make changes in order to get back to winning ways in the tournament.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Peshawar Zalmi Preview

Darren Sammy-led unit seemed to have lost the momentum in their last couple of the matches. In the previous game, top-order failed miserably but experienced Shoaib Malik played well to help Zalmi post a modest total on the board.

The batting will be cause of concern as Peshawar Zalmi has looked heavily reliant on opener Kamran Akmal to make notable contributions. In the previous game, Akmal suffered a rare failure and perished after scoring just 4 runs. His opening partner, Tom Banton, was dismissed for a first-ball duck after he was struck on the toes by a searing yorker from Mohammad Amir.

Haider Ali also perished after playing a reckless shot to see Zalmi reduced to 10 for 3 in 3.3 overs. Liam Livingstone and Shoaib Malik put on a 47-run partnership to led the fightback for Peshawar Zalmi.

Livingstone looked good in his innings and gave his wicket away after scoring 25 runs off 20 balls with the help of one four and one six. All-rounder Lewis Gregory came to the crease and provided to adequate to Shoaib Malik, who anchored the innings for Peshawar Zalmi.

All-rounder Shoaib Malik was the standout player for the side against Karachi Kings and finished the innings with the top-score of 68 runs off 55 balls with the help of six fours and one six. Lewis Gregory played well and chipped in with 25 runs off 22 balls with the help of two boundaries.

In the bowling department, experienced bowlers like Hasan Ali and Wahab Riaz will need to put in better performances. The pace duo has failed to make an impact with the ball in this year’s competition. Playing his first game for the franchise, Leg-spinner Yasir Shah was the pick of the bowlers and finished with figures of 2 for 28 in his four overs.

Peshawar Zalmi Predicted Playing XI:

Kamran Akmal (wk), Tom Banton, Haider Ali, Liam Livingstone, Shoaib Malik, Lewis Gregory, Carlos Brathwaite, Wahab Riaz (c), Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali

Peshawar Zalmi Actual Playing XI:

Yasir Shah, Liam Dawson, Rahat Ali, Hasan Ali, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz, Liam Livingstone, Kamran Akmal, Haider Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Lewis Gregory

Quetta Gladiators Preview

Sarfaraz Ahmed’s men went down to Lahore Qalandars in the previous game played at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday. Apart from Ben Cutting, no batsman failed to capitalize on their good starts. Gladiators might make changes to their playing combination for this contest.

Shane Watson managed to get off to a good start but could not convert it, while Sarfaraz Ahmed the side down. Australian all-rounder scored 23 runs off 17 balls, whereas Sarfaraz Ahmed and perished for a single-digit score against Lahore Qalandars

Even youngsters such as Ahsan Ali and Azam Khan failed to make an impression to see Gladiators reduced to 79 for 5 after 9.3 overs. All-rounder Ben Cutting fought hard till the end and notched up his maiden half-century in PSL. He finished the innings with the top-score of 53 runs off 27 balls with the help of three fours and five sixes.

Apart from Leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed, the rest of the bowling conceded a lot of runs against Lahore Qalandars. Mohammad Nawaz and pacer Naseem Shah did an average job opening the attack while Mohammad Hasnain finished with figures of 1 for 32 in his four overs.

Quetta Gladiators Predicted Playing XI:

Jason Roy, Shane Watson, Ahsan Ali, Azam Khan, Ben Cutting, Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain & wk), Anwar Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Fawad Ahmed, Naseem Shah/Tymal Mills, Mohammad Hasnain

Quetta Gladiators Actual Playing XI:

Ben Cutting, Sohail Khan, TS Mills, Jason Roy, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Azam Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, SR Watson, Sarfraz Ahmed

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared for the game will be excellent for batting. With wet conditions expected for the game, the bowlers will have to work hard to make breakthroughs. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Thursday is expected to have light rain showers with gentle breeze.

Venue Details

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is going to host the 18th match of 2020 Pakistan Super League between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators.

In the previous meeting between the two teams, Peshawar Zalmi registered a comfortable six-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators at National Cricket Stadium in Karachi.

Toss: To Bowl

With rain expected for the game, the side that wins the toss, will look to bowl first and restrict the opposition to a modest score.