PSL 2021: Defending champions Karachi Kings take on Quetta Gladiators in the opener

 

PSL 2021: Defending champions Karachi Kings take on Quetta Gladiators in the opener

• Chris Gayle is expected to put on a spectacular performance on his return.
• Zahid Mehmood may be a surprise package for the Karachi Kings.
• The Kings of Karachi depend mainly on Babar Azam.

KARACHI: The sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will kick off on Saturday in Karachi with an opening match between defending champion Karachi Kings and 2019 winner Quetta Gladiators.

The contest between the winners of the 2019 and 2020 editions of the PSL is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. after the opening ceremony and fireworks.

And, with hitting power on both sides, the match is likely to provide a good display of hard-hitting.

Quetta has the services of some of the best T20 players like Chris Gayle, Tom Banton, Cameron Delport to make his hitting look powerful. They also have young Azam Khan, who has the ability to turn the game around with clean shots from him.

The Sarfaraz-led side also has the face of Pakistan's bowling line in Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, and Usman Shinwari. The all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz can also come in handy with the bat and ball.

Zahid Mehmood, who recently made his debut in Pakistan, maybe a surprise package.

For the Karachi Kings, the flamboyant Babar Azam will undoubtedly be the main torchbearer, but they also have some exciting T20 prospects in the team like Sharjeel Khan, Dan Christian, Mohammad Nabi, and of course their captain Imad Wasim.

Not forgetting that Colin Ingram, who holds the record for the highest individual inning in PSL history, is also in the ranks of the Kings, making his hitting as powerful as Quetta's.

The Karachi Bowling Alley is led by Mohammad Aamir, whose T20 record is extraordinary. He has the ability to change the game without help from anyone. Aamir is likely to have the support of Aamer Yamin and Waqas Maqsood in the rhythm attack.

The Quetta Gladiators have the majority of their players under 23, making them the youngest team in the PSL, and will face Kings, who won the PSL title at the same venue in November.

The top three from each side will have an impact on the outcome of the game and comparing the higher order of both sides, it can be said that Quetta has a bit of an advantage against Karachi.

Squads:

Quetta Gladiators: Anwar Ali, Azam Khan, Ben Cutting, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Zahid Mahmood, Chris Gayle, Tom Banton, Usman Khan Shinwari, Cameron Delport, Qais Ahmad, Abdul Nasir, Saim Ayub, Arish Ali Khan, Usman Khan, Hassan Khan (as a partial replacement for Dale Steyn).

Kings of Karachi: Amir Yamin, Arshad Iqbal, Babar Azam, Colin Ingram, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Sharjeel Khan, Waqas Maqsood, Mohammad Nabi, Dan Christian, Chadwick Walton, Joe Clarke, Noor Ahmad, Danish Aziz, Mohammad Ilyas, Zeeshan Malik, Qasim Akram

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