2021 Pakistan Super League – Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators taking place? Saturday 20th February, 2021 – 14:00 (UK)
Where is Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators taking place? National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Where can I get tickets for Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators? Visit this website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators on? This match will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket
Where can I stream Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live via the Sky Go app
THE TEAM NEWS
KARACHI KINGS
- Karachi Kings come into this new Pakistani Super League campaign determined to defend their crown after winning their first ever PSL trophy in the COVID-disrupted 2020 edition where they managed to win the trophy despite the death of their head coach Dean Jones during the break in play.
- They will be led by Imad Wasim and they can boast some key local players such as Babar Azam and Mohammad Amir but they have seen two key departures as Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan have both left the club which weakens them somewhat.
- Babar Azam was the standout player for them last year as the top runscorer in the tournament but their second highest scoring batsmen Alex Hales has joined Islamabad United but they will have high hopes for T20 specialists Mohammad Nabi and Dan Christian who will add great depth as all-rounders.
QUETTA GLADIATORS
- Quetta Gladiators come off a hugely disappointing campaign last year where they failed to make the knockout phase so the 2019 champions will be desperate to bounce back this time around and go deep in the tournament.
- There is no Jason Roy nor the retired Shane Watson this time around but they have recruited big-hitting Chris Gayle and Tom Banton to lead their batting with Cameron Delport, Azam Khan, Ben Cutting and skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed.
- The bowling attack has a formidable look about it with Mohammad Hasnain and Naseem Shah now supported by Dale Steyn, Qais Ahmad and Usman Shinwari which looks to be one of the strongest in the tournament.
THE PREDICTION
The opening game of PSL 6 sees defending champions Karachi Kings face off against the Quetta Gladiators which will be a fascinating clash between these two sides. Both teams have undergone significant changes in their rosters but it is the Gladiators who look the stronger set especially with their impressive bowling attack. The Kings were spurred on to win the trophy last year to honour the late Dean Jones but they look a little weaker compared to last year. The pressure once again is firmly on Babar Azam to produce the goods with the bat but he was not at his best against South Africa in the recent T20 series. With question marks over their batting line-up so early in the tournament, the Gladiators bowling attack can make the difference here and lead them to an opening win over the defending champions.
