The Zalmi will be going into the game on the back of a 10-run loss to Lahore Qalandars.
Peshawar Zalmi had done most things right in their match against the Lahore Qalandars on Thursday, June 10. However, Tim David and Rashid Khan combined to slap them with a 10-run defeat at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The Zalmi would be dejected for not being able to dominate. Shoaib Malik’s valiant efforts went in vain. Their next match is against Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Quetta Gladiators on Saturday, June 12 at the same venue.
With them being placed fourth on the points table, the Zalmi need a win to climb the ladder. The Gladiators have had a rusty tournament as well. In their first five games, they could only manage one win and were placed at the bottom of the points table.
Already into the second half of the league stage, they need quite a few wins to get into the top four. In their previous meeting, the Zalmi beat them by three wickets after chasing 199.
Playing combination for QUE vs PES
Quetta Gladiators
The Gladiators have a blend of youth and experience in their lineup. Usman Khan scored 81 in the only game he played in the first leg of the tournament. Ayub needs to show a bit more consistency though. Faf du Plessis is the fulcrum of their batting and he needs to be on top of his game.
Sarfaraz Ahmed is their leading run-scorer and he scored in the 80s last time around against the Zalmi. In the bowling department, Mohammad Hasnain and Zahid Mahmood did a chunk of the work in the first leg. The focus will also be on Andre Russell, who can tear any bowling apart on his day.
Predicted XI
Usman Khan, Saim Ayub, Faf du Plessis, Cameron Delport, Sarfaraz Ahmed (C & WK), Azam Khan, Andre Russell, Jack Wildermuth, Mohammad Nawaz, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Hasnain
Bench: Abdul Nasir, Anwar Ali, Arish Ali Khan, Hassan Khan, Khurram Shehzad, Zahir Khan, Jake Weatherald, Usman Shinwari
Peshawar Zalmi
Batting has been a strong point for the Zalmi in the tournament. A number of their batters have over 100 runs. Shoaib Malik has been their standout batter with 174 runs at an average and strike rate of 43.50 and 134.88 respectively. He scored 73 runs in the previous game before getting hit wicket.
Haider Ali and Kamran Akmal had an off day and the duo has to make amends. The onus will also be on Miller, Powell, and Rutherford. Wahab Riaz is their leading wicket-taker and he can’t afford to drop his guard. The likes of Fabian Allen, Mohammad Imran, and Mohammad Irfan have their roles to play as well.
Predicted XI
Kamran Akmal (WK), Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, David Miller, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Fabian Allen, Wahab Riaz (C), Umaid Asif, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Irfan
Bench: Imam-ul-Haq, Fidel Edwards, Amad Butt, Bismillah Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Waqar Salamkheil, Mohammad Amir Khan, Mohammad Imran Randhawa
QUE vs PES Head-to-Head
Overall
Played – 17 | Quetta Gladiators– 8 | Peshawar Zalmi – 8 | N/R – 1
QUE vs PES Broadcast Details
Match Timings – 09:30 PM IST
Live Streaming – Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV
