The PSL 2024 Qualifier will be played on March 14 between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi in Karachi. The match starts at 9.30 am IST. Peshawar won both the league matches against Multan earlier this season.
30 league matches have already been completed in PSL 2024. Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi finished as the top two teams. Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators finished as the third and fourth teams in the table. Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars were eliminated and the defending champions Qalandars won only one game this season under Shaheen Afridi.
The season was played in four venues. Lahore hosted nine matches, Multan hosted five, Rawalpindi hosted nine matches and Karachi will host 11 matches including playoffs.
Team analysis
Peshawar Zalmi
Babar leads the Peshawar Zalmi team. He joined the team last year and led them to the playoffs. He now strives to lead the team to the final. He had a brilliant season with the bat with 498 runs in nine games. He will look to score more than 500 and make this season a memorable one in a bid to retain the captaincy as the Pakistan national cricket team has not won too many matches in recent times.
Sultans of Multan
Multan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, relies a lot on him to give a good outing. Usama Mir and David Willey have been the main wicket-keepers for the Sultans in this edition of the tournament. Mohammad Ali also took 17 wickets and came out as a surprise package. It is this same group of players that Multan will bet with in the Qualifier.
Key factors
Field conditions
The Karachi pitch has been batting friendly so far and has enough for the bowlers. Multa won their previous game after posting over 180 and Peshawar also defended 147 on this track. The field remains lively throughout the match and a high-scoring match should be on the cards.
Form and fitness
There are no injury concerns on either field. The players are fit and eager to participate in this crucial game. Otherwise, all eyes will be on Babar and Rizwan, who are the first two to get runs. Babar is two away from scoring 500 runs in the tournament, while Rizwan himself is in great form.
Tactical insight
Both players are great teammates and open together for Pakistan in international T20I cricket. Having played with each other a lot, both players know each other very well. They should also be able to understand each other tactically in terms of the opposing captain.
Also Read: Watch: Babar Azam takes brilliant running catch in PSL 2024 to dismiss Saud Shakeel
Recent records of the place (National Stadium, Karachi)
STATISTICS – T20
Total matches 14
Matches won by batting the first 8
Matches won bowling first 6
1st Inns average score 181
Average score for 2nd Inns 148
Highest recorded total 221/3 (20 Ov) by ENG vs PAK
Lowest total on record 60/10 (13.4 Ov) by WI vs PAK
Highest score chased 208/3 (18.5 Ov) by PAK vs WI
Lowest score defended 150/5 (20 Ov) by PAKW vs RSAW
Who will score the most runs for Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam / Rovman Powell
Who will take most wickets for Peshawar Zalmi: Luke Wood / Naveen-ul-Haq
Who will score the most runs for Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan / Uaman Khan
Who will take most grounds for Multan Sultans: David Willey / Usama Mir
Today’s MUL vs PES Match Prediction: Who will win today’s PSL match? PSL 2024, Qualifier
Peshawar Zalmi have beaten Multan Sultans twice in this PSL season so far and have a better chance of winning this contest and reaching the final. Peshawar has won 6 of the 16 matches against Multan in the history of the PSL.
Conclusion
Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi meet for the third time in PSL 2024. A place in the final is at stake. The loser of this match will have a second chance in Elimination Two. There is no turning back for both captains who are Pakistan’s main players.
Also Read: PSL 2024 is important for T20 World Cup squad: Shahid Afridi sends message to Pakistan players