After registering a comfortable win over the Lahore Qalandars in the tournament opener, Islamabad will lock horns with Multan Sultans in the first game of the double-header on Saturday. The defending champions made light work of the target of 172 as Asif Ali and Faheem Ashraf stitched together a crucial partnership of 59 runs for the sixth wicket to help their team over the line.
The Multan Sultans on the other hand come into the game off a contrasting result as they lost their first PSL game of the season by just 7 runs against Karachi Kings. They were brilliantly aided by Shoaib Malik and Laurie Evans in the chase, but were left disappointed as they failed to cross the final barrier. However, they will look to bounce back and get some crucial wins in the early part of the tournament before the business end gets underway.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Luke Ronchi (9.5 credits)
Ronchi opens the innings and hence will have plenty of time to settle down and get to a big total. He made a fluent 17-ball 27 in the last game and looked in fine nick before he was dismissed by Rahat Ali. The Kiwi player has played over 185 games in the format across the globe and strike the ball at 153.16, which will make him a dangerous player on a track that will have plenty of runs for the offering.
Batsman: Shoaib Malik (9.5 credits)
Malik has been the backbone for Pakistan in the middle-order
After registering a comfortable win over the Lahore Qalandars in the tournament opener, Islamabad will lock horns with Multan Sultans in the first game of the double-header on Saturday. The defending champions made light work of the target of 172 as Asif Ali and Faheem Ashraf stitched together a crucial partnership of 59 runs for the sixth wicket to help their team over the line.
The Multan Sultans on the other hand come into the game off a contrasting result as they lost their first PSL game of the season by just 7 runs against Karachi Kings. They were brilliantly aided by Shoaib Malik and Laurie Evans in the chase, but were left disappointed as they failed to cross the final barrier. However, they will look to bounce back and get some crucial wins in the early part of the tournament before the business end gets underway.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Luke Ronchi (9.5 credits)
Ronchi opens the innings and hence will have plenty of time to settle down and get to a big total. He made a fluent 17-ball 27 in the last game and looked in fine nick before he was dismissed by Rahat Ali. The Kiwi player has played over 185 games in the format across the globe and strike the ball at 153.16, which will make him a dangerous player on a track that will have plenty of runs for the offering.
Batsman: Shoaib Malik (9.5 credits)
Malik has been the backbone for Pakistan in the middle-order for well over a decade now. The experienced pro knows how to pace his innings - he often starts off cautiously and then treads the aggressive route. He was on fire in Multan's opening clash this PSL as he made 52 off only 28 deliveries. With the side possessing a relatively inexperienced top-order Malik's contributions will once again be vital against the defending champions.
All-rounder: Andre Russell (10 credits)
Both teams are equipped with dangerous all-rounders like Russell, Afridi, Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan, but I have opted for the former as, when on song, there is no other player who can be as destructive as Russell. The West Indian bowls his full quota of overs more often than not and bats in the top 6 too, which increases his chances of earning points. Though Russell was not able to score runs with the bat in the first PSL game his side played, he did pick up a wicket with the ball. Having showed off his exploits across the globe, Russell's calibre is well-known and with the tracks in Dubai helping the batters, Russell can be a force to reckon with.
Bowler: Waqas Maqsood (8 credits)
Maqsood might have only picked up a wicket in the last game, but he impressed by bowling economically. His economy rate of 6.25 when the rivals were going after the bowling, speaks of his ability to stall the flow of runs, which in turns increases the pressure on the opposite team. In 30 T20s that Maqsood has played thus far, the Pakistani has managed to bowl under an economy rate of 6.75, which shows how effective he can be.
Captain: Shoaib Malik
Vice-captain: Andre Russell
