Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators: Preview and Prediction

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Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators Match Preview, Head-to-Head Record, Key Players, Predicted XIs, and Prediction

Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators are all set to collide with each other in the 25th match of the Pakistan Super League 2023. The much-fancied battle of cricket will be conducted at the Pindi Club Ground in Rawalpindi on Wednesday. 

Peshawar Zalmi is doing a brilliant job in the T20 Championship with a total of three wins and as many losses to their name from six league games. With six points to their name, they are currently occupying fourth place in the points table. 

Zalmi batters have been leading from the front as the last two games witnessed the team scoring over 195 runs in their allotted 20 overs. On the other hand, Quetta Gladiators are languishing at the bottom of the points table with only two points.

They are on a five-match losing streak and another loss can rule them out of the playoff race. Meanwhile, this will be the second time that Zalmi and Gladiators will go one-on-one against each other in PSL 2023. 

The first encounter saw Babar Azam’s side recording a win by four wickets, chasing 155 runs with ease in 18.3 overs only. 

What has happened so far?

Peshawar Zalmi is going strong in this edition with three wins from six league games. They looked good in their first game with a two-run win against Karachi Kings. Though the side lost its second game to Multan Sultans by 56 runs, they hammered Quetta Gladiators in the very next match by four wickets.

Following two wins and one loss, Zalmi witnessed a dip in their form as they lost two back-to-back games against Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars. However, the team made a comeback in its last game against Karachi Kings by defending 197 runs to win by 24 runs.

As far as Quetta Gladiators are concerned, their qualification chances are hanging by a thread in the T20 Championship. After losing to Multan Sultans in the opening game by nine wickets, the team defeated Karachi Kings by six runs.

However, since then, they have lost five consecutive matches. Gladiators are heading into the Wednesday game on the back of a two-wicket loss against Islamabad United. 

Head to Head Record

Peshawar Zalmi has an edge over Quetta Gladiators in the head-to-head records

The Pakistan Super League has witnessed a total of 21 battles of cricket between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators since the inception of the T20 tournament. Zalmi is leading the head-to-head records with a total of 12 wins to their name while Gladiators have scored a victory in eight matches. One game between the two sides was washed out due to unfavorable conditions. 

The first encounter between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2023 resulted in the former scoring a win by four wickets. 

Key Players

Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi)

The skipper Babar Azam is expected to lead by example as his team will lock horns with Quetta Gladiators in the Wednesday game. He has done a decent job in the tournament so far with 178 runs to his name in six games at an average of 35.60. 

Azam failed to perform in his team’s last game against Karachi Kings as he bagged a three-ball duck. However, the opening batter will be eager to bounce back and churn out a match-winning performance. 

Najibullah Zadran (Quetta Gladiators)

Najibullah Zadran will be the man in focus on Wednesday as Quetta Gladiators will take on Peshawar Zalmi. He was the top batter for the team with a knock of 59 runs off just 34 balls including five fours and three maximums when they played against Islamabad United in their last game. 

Zadran’s exploits steered the team to a good score of 179 runs in their allotted 20 overs. The middle-order is expected to churn out another fantastic performance for his team. 

Predicted Playing XIs

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam ©, Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, James Neesham, Wahab Riaz, Saad Masood, Salman Irshad, Arshad Iqbal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa

Quetta Gladiators: Yasir Khan, Will Smeed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Najibullah Zadran, Sarfaraz Ahmed ©, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Nawaz, Odean Smith, Umaid Asif, Naseem Shah, Naveen-ul-Haq.

Prediction

The number four of the Pakistan Super League 2023 points table, Peshawar Zalmi is likely to score their fourth win in the tournament on Wednesday when they will play against Quetta Gladiators. Zalmi will start the game with a positive attitude as they defeated Karachi Kings in their most recent game. On the other hand, the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side is likely to be low on confidence as they are reeling at the bottom of the points table with five consecutive losses to their name.

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