Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi, Pakistan Super League (PSL), Today Match Prediction 17 Mar 2019

n/a vs pz Match Prediction & Analysis

Resurgent Peshawar Zalmi will take on in-form Quetta Gladiators in the finals of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2019 in Karachi on Sunday. 

Both side’s finished the round-robin stage as number one and two on the points table, and have already clashed three times where Quetta came out on top in all the contests. 

Quetta Gladiators outclassed Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier game, courtesy of sublime performances from opening batsman Shane Watson, who scored 71 off 43 balls with the help of six sixes.

On the other hand, Peshawar Zalmi comfortably brushed aside reigning champions Islamabad United in the Eliminator game in order to qualify for the finals of the competition. Darren Sammy and co. will be looking to clinch second crown on Sunday.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Quetta Gladiators Preview

Quetta Gladiators till now is the team of the tournament, and is looking the likely candidate to lift their maiden crown this season.

In the batting department, the team will be depending on their in-form opening batsman Shane Watson, who has contributed significantly to the side’s cause by scoring 423 runs in 11 matches at an average of 47.00 with four half-centuries to his name. 

It was largely due to Watson’s batting efforts that Gladiators were able to post a competitive score on the board in the Qualifier game played against Peshawar Zalmi. He was well supported by Ahsan Ali, who chipped in with 46 off 32 balls with the help of four fours and two sixes.

Rilee Rossouw, Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad have delivered crucial performances with the bat so far in this year’s competition. Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and Dwayne Bravo also scored crucial runs for the side in the previous game.

In the bowling department, the team will be relying on the likes of Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Nawaz and Mohammad Hasnain to deliver the goods with the ball. Rookie pacer Mohammad Hasnain was star performer with the ball and picked up two wickets in the game played against Peshawar Zalmi.

Quetta Gladiators Predicted Playing XI:

Sarfaraz Ahmed (c &wk), Rilee Rossouw, Ahmed Shehzad, Shane Watson, Umar Akmal, Dwayne Bravo, Mohammad Nawaz, Anwar Ali, Sohail Tanvir, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Hasnain

Quetta Gladiators Actual Playing XI:

RR Rossouw, Dwayne Bravo, SR Watson, S Tanvir, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hasnain, Fawad Ahmed, Sarfraz Ahmed, Umar Akmal, Ahsan Ali, Mohammad Nawaz

Peshawar Zalmi Preview

Darren Sammy-led unit will be high on confidence after registering an impressive 49-run win against Islamabad United in the Eliminator game played on Friday, courtesy Kamran Akmal’s blazing 74 runs and Chris Jordan’s splendid bowling spell. 

Peshawar Zalmi will have a chance to win their second crown if they beat Quetta Gladiators in the finals of the competition on Sunday.

The team will be depending on the likes of opening batsman Kamran Akmal (336 runs at an average of 28.00) and Imam-ul-Haq (338 runs at an average of 30.72) to produce the goods from the top, whereas all-rounder Kieron Pollard (277 runs at an average of 30.77) will be expected to provide fireworks in the later stages of the innings. 

Akmal certainly delivered a special performance with the bat and put on a 135-run partnership with Imam-ul-Haq to see Peshawar Zalmi get off to a flier. Akmal scored 74 off 43 balls with the help of ten fours and three sixes. He was well supported by Imam, who chipped in with 58 off 33 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes.

Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy also produced brisk cameos in the previous game played against Islamabad United

In the bowling department, the responsibility will be on the pace duo of Hasan Ali and Wahab Riaz to provide breakthroughs for the side as they have already claimed 41 wickets collectively. Chris Jordan also delivered a spectacular performance and picked up three wickets in the game played against Islamabad United.

Peshawar Zalmi Predicted Playing XI:

Kamran Akmal (wk), Imam-ul-Haq, Umar Amin, Sohail Maqsood, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy (c), Tymal Mills, Chris Jordan, Hasan Ali, Liam Dawson/Nabi Gul, Wahab RiazDarren Sammy-led unit will be high on confidence after registering an impressive 49-run win against Islamabad United in the Eliminator game played on Friday, courtesy Kamran Akmal’s blazing 74 runs and Chris Jordan’s splendid bowling spell. Peshawar Zalmi will have a chance to win their second crown if they beat Quetta Gladiators in the finals of the competition on Sunday. The team will be depending on the likes of opening batsman Kamran Akmal (336 runs at an average of 28.00) and Imam-ul-Haq (338 runs at an average of 30.72) to produce the goods from the top, whereas all-rounder Kieron Pollard (277 runs at an average of 30.77) will be expected to provide fireworks in the later stages of the innings. Akmal certainly delivered a special performance with the bat and put on a 135-run partnership with Imam-ul-Haq to see Peshawar Zalmi get off to a flier. Akmal scored 74 off 43 balls with the help of ten fours and three sixes. He was well supported by Imam, who chipped in with 58 off 33 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes. Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy also produced brisk cameos in the previous game played against Islamabad United In the bowling department, the onus will be on the pace duo of Hasan Ali and Wahab Riaz to provide breakthroughs for the side as they have already claimed 41 wickets collectively. Chris Jordan also delivered a spectacular performance and picked up three wickets in the game played against Islamabad United.

Peshawar Zalmi Actual Playing XI:

Hasan Ali, TS Mills, Umar Amin, Imam-ul-Haq, Wahab Riaz, Kieron Pollard, Nabi Gul, DJG Sammy, Chris Jordan, Kamran Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood

Weather Conditions

The surface is expected to favor the batsmen as another high-scoring game is expected in the finals of the competition. The weather forecast for the finals is going to be bright and sunny.

Venue

Peshawar Zalmi certainly posted a mammoth score in the game played against Islamabad United. The majority of the games at this venue this season have been won by side batting first. The par score at the venue is around 180 to 190 runs.

Toss: To Bat

Both the teams would be keen to bat first and put runs on the board. It won’t be easy to chase down a big total in the finals of the competition.