Both Quetta Gladiators and Karachi Kings will be eager for redemption when they will square off against each other in the 22nd match of the 2023 edition of the Pakistan Super League. The two teams are struggling in the tournament as they are reeling at the bottom of the points table.
With as many as five losses and just one win to their name, the Gladiators are the wooden spooners in the T20 Championship. Despite having a decent line-up including the likes of Martin Guptill, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Mohammad Nawaz, the team is currently on a four-match losing streak.
Their only win in the tournament so far has come against Karachi Kings by six runs. Gladiators defended 168 runs with ease in their allotted 20 overs owing to good bowling performance by the pacers.
Speaking of Karachi Kings, they have done slightly better than Quetta Gladiators in the T20 extravaganza, as they have won two of their eight league games. The team is on a two-match losing streak and is occupying the second-last place in the points table.
Playing on Monday at the Pindi Club Ground in Rawalpindi, both teams will be eager for a turnaround.
What has happened so far?
So far in the Pakistan Super League 2023, both Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators have failed in giving a tough fight to the other teams and leaving their impact. The Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side started the tournament with a loss against Multan Sultans by nine wickets.
They defeated Karachi Kings in the very next game by six runs to collect their first two points. However, it did not take long for the Gladiators to return to their losing ways as they have lost their last four games on the trot.
The team lost to Peshawar Zalmi, Lahore Qalandars, and Islamabad United by four wickets, 63 runs, and 63 runs respectively. Meanwhile, their most recent loss came against Qalandars by 17 runs.
Karachi Kings, on the other hand, lost their first game only to make a comeback and win two of their next three matches. However, they have also lost the track with two back-to-back losses against Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United by 24 runs and six wickets, respectively.
Head to Head Record
Quetta Gladiators have an edge over Karachi Kings in the head-to-head records
In the history of the Pakistan Super League, Quetta Gladiators have locked horns with Karachi Kings in a total of 15 games. PSL 2019 champions scored a win over the Kings in a significant nine games while the remaining five games saw Imad Wasim & Men reaching the victory line.
Quetta Gladiators continued their domination over Karachi Kings this season as they scored a six-run win in their first battle against each other.
Key Players
Will Smeed (Quetta Gladiators)
The opening batter Will Smeed was the only positive for Quetta Gladiators as they lost their last game against Lahore Qalandars by 17 runs. When the team was given the task of chasing 149 runs in 20 overs, he showed intent by scoring 32 runs off 25 balls.
Despite smashing six boundaries, Smeed could not prolong his stay in the middle as he did not receive any support from other players. However, we are backing the young rookie to play a match-winning knock for his team on Monday.
Imad Wasim (Karachi Kings)
Though Karachi Kings are yet to deliver stunning performances in PSL 2023, the skipper Imad Wasim is making headlines owing to his brilliant performances with the bat. He is the second-highest run-getter in the competition with a whopping 329 runs to his name in eight games at an average of 164.50.
Karachi’s last game against Islamabad United saw Imad Wasim smacking 92 runs off just 54 balls to take his team to a score of 201 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
Predicted Playing XIs
Quetta Gladiators: Will Smeed, Martin Guptill, Yasir Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed ©, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Odean Smith, Naveen ul Haq, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain
Karachi Kings: Matthew Wade, Adam Rossington, Tayyab Tahir, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim ©, Ben Cutting, Qasim Akram, Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Amir, Akif Javed, Tabraiz Shamsi
Prediction
Not much is expected from the Monday encounter, as both Quetta Gladiators and Karachi Kings are struggling in the competition. Having said that, there are slightly better chances of Quetta scoring their second win in the Pakistan Super League 2023.
They have an edge over Karachi Kings as they defeated them once this season by six runs. The Gladiators are expected to continue the fine run against Imad Wasim-led side and move up the points table.