PSL 2018 – Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings Preview

When? Thursday 15^th March

Where? Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Weather? 24-26c forecast with sunshine all day

What channel is it on? Prime TV

Where can I stream the match? Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings can be streamed online via http://www.primetv.tv/watch_live.html

Are tickets still available? Ticket information for all PSL 2018 fixtures can be found on https://www.q-tickets.com/psl2018/eventslist.aspx

HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Karachi Kings W2, Peshawar Zalmi W4

PESHAWAR ZALMI

Coach: Mohammad Akram

Captain: Darren Sammy

• The defending champions have no margin for error now as they sit three points behind the Sultans who have no more games left so Zalmi simply have to win their last two matches to qualify for the play-offs.
• They will consider changes form the last game against the Gladiators where they were comfortably beaten by six wickets with Kamran Akmal and Khushdil Shah both under threat and they remain with Tamim Iqbal so Andre Fletcher could come back and Chris Jordan may also feature.
• Zalmi have lost their last three matches, all of which came in Dubai, so they will be pleased to return to Sharjah where they won their two matches against the Gladiators and Qalandars, and hope that brings them more luck.

KARACHI KINGS

Coach: Mickey Arthur

Captain: Eoin Morgan

• The Kings need one solitary win from their remaining two games to clinch a play-off place and they will be keen to do that here against Zalmi to avoid having to beat the in-form Islamabad United in the final group game to qualify.
• The Kings will be without captain Imad Wasim who has a mild concussion so he will be replaced by England skipper Eoin Morgan who has arrived in Sharjah after international duty and he will lead the side in his opening game.
• Morgan will strengthen the batting even further but it may leave them a little weakened for part-time bowling options so that could see Joe Denly get more overs but it is unlikely there will be more changes in personnel.

PREDICTION
This game has ramifications for the play-off places but the urgency is more on Zalmi who have to win both of their remaining matches while just the one win from their final two matches will suffice for the Kings. Morgan comes in for Wasim which signals a different captain and a different approach, but the England skipper will be determined to start the tournament well. The Kings have tremendous firepower with the bat, and they have the better form than Zalmi although the Peshawar outfit have faced better in Sharjah. A tough match to call here, but the Kings have to be favoured on form and quality.