2021 Pakistan Super League – Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings taking place? Thursday 10th June, 2021 – 14:00 (UK)
Where is Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings taking place? Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Where can I get tickets for Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings? No tickets are available as this match will take place without spectators
What channel is Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings on? This match will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Mix
Where can I stream Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live via the Sky Go app
THE TEAM NEWS
MULTAN SULTANS
- Multan Sultans resume this year’s Pakistan Super League with lots of work to do as they currently sit fifth-place in the table having lost four and won just one of their five matches before the tournament’s suspension.
- Due to the withdrawal of big name overseas players, Multan have a huge hole to plug within their batting with players such as Chris Lynn, James Vince, Carlos Braithwaite and Adam Lyth all unavailable to feature, therefore West Indian big hitter Shimron Hetmyer has been recruited as an overseas batting replacement.
- Injury has ruled out the mercurial all-rounder Shahid Afridi from playing and his absence will be felt particularly from an experience perspective, therefore captain Mohammad Rizwan will have a huge role to play not only as a wicketkeeper batsman, but also as a leader to this side if Multan are to be successful.
KARACHI KINGS
- By the time Karachi Kings take to the field here, they will have been knocked off the top spot in the Pakistan Super League by either Islamabad United or Lahore Qalandars, who beat Imad Wasim’s men earlier in the competition and will therefore be determined to regain their place at the top of the table.
- To compensate for the loss of overseas all-rounders Colin Ingram, Mohammad Nabi and Dan Christian alongside batter Joe Clarke, Karachi have recruited New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, as well as two new all-rounders in the form of Sri Lankan Thisara Perera and Afghanistan’s Najibullah Zadran.
- With the ICC World Number three ranked T20 batter Babar Azam within their ranks, along with fast bowler Mohammad Amir and captain Imad, Karachi have a strong and experienced domestic contingent within their ranks that should form the spine of their side.
THE PREDICTION
Both Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings are expected to look significantly different in terms of playing personnel compared to earlier in the year with both hit hard by the understandable swathes of overseas withdrawals. However, some big names will still be on show for what is a crucial match for both sides. Multan did not impress as a unit prior to the competition being stopped and their biggest worry may be that they are slightly too dependent on captain Rizwan for runs. Karachi Kings look the better all-round side, particularly when you take into account the class of Babar Azam and he could be set to form an intimidating opening partnership with big hitting Kiwi Guptill. Combine that with the experience of both fast bowler Amir alongside all-rounder Imad Wasim, whose variations should prove important on a good batting pitch and a Karachi Kings win has to be favoured in this one, with Afridi in particular a big loss for Multan.
