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Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi Preview: Who will stay alive is PSL play-offs?

By Rahul Varma

13 Nov 2020

Rahul Varma 13 Nov 2020

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Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi clash in the Pakistan Super League
It is winner takes all in the PSL Play-Offs eliminator
Lahore Qalandars have lost the only match they played at this venue this season
Peshawar Zalmi have won 7 of the last 8 head to head matches
Peshawar Zalmi have won 6 of the 7 matches against Lahore Qalandars while chasing

Mohammad Hafeez (Getty Images)

It is ‘winner takes all’ in the Pakistan Super League eliminator 1 as Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi clash at the National Stadium in Karachi on Saturday. This will be played after the qualifier earlier in the day at the same venue.

The winner of this eliminator plays the loser of that qualifier in the second eliminator to decide who plays the final.

Lahore Qalandars Form

Lahore Qalandars finished third in the group phase with 10 points and an even 5-5 win-loss record. They have never reached the knockout phase of the competition and hence the Qalandars will be highly motivated to go further.

One advantage for the Qalandars is that they have one of the least-disrupted teams in the league as Ben Dunk, Samit Patel, David Wiese, and Dane Vilas all return to the squad. Even Chris Lynn’s absence won’t be a problem as Tamim Iqbal is a very apt replacement.

Lahore Qalandars News

The Qalandars have picked up Tamim Iqbal to replace Lynn, Abid Ali to replace Salman Butt, and Agha Salman to replace Sekkuge Prasanna. With Lynn out of the side, Ben Dunk could be asked to open – something which he has done in the Big Bash 2019 season.

Peshawar Zalmi Form

Peshawar Zalmi could only manage a fourth-place finish in the regular season with 9 points and a 4-5 win-loss record. Only a better run-rate pushed them to a better finish than Quetta Gladiators, although this is their worst finishing position in their PSL history.

They had to undergo a complete transformation in the squad, as most of the overseas players couldn’t turn up. Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy will be missed – especially Sammy, who has been a legend in the PSL. However, England pace bowler Saqib Mahmood and South African batsman Faf du Plessis have been roped in as replacements.

Peshawar Zalmi News

The experience of Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik is the biggest driving force for Peshawar. They also boast of the exciting youngster Haider Ali, who has made a good start in international cricket against Zimbabwe. Faf du Plessis is also coming off a good IPL stint having top-scored for Chennai Super Kings with 449 runs (Avg. 40.81, SR 140.75).

Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi Head to Head

Peshawar Zalmi have an overall win-loss record of 8-2 and have won seven of the last eight head to head matches. However, the most recent match in this season has been won by Lahore Qalandars – by five wickets in Lahore.

Shoaib Malik (62) and Haider Ali (69) played well for Peshawar who posted 187/7 despite Shaheen Afridi taking 3/28. Lahore’s chase was anchored by Fakhar Zaman (63) and Chris Lynn (59) coasting to a win with a ball to spare.

Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi Match Up

Lahore Qalandars have a great batting line-up led by Ben Dunk, Fakhar Zaman, Sohail Akhtar, and Mohammad Hafeez – all scoring 200+ runs in the league phase.

Zalmi have an equally good batting unit with Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, and Haider Ali forming a great unit to go with the inclusion of Faf du Plessis. It could come down to how well the bowling units deliver.

Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi Stats

Lahore Qalandars have lost the only match they played at this venue this season.
Peshawar Zalmi have won 7 of the last 8 head to head matches.
Peshawar Zalmi have won 6 of the 7 matches against Lahore Qalandars while chasing.
Peshawar Zalmi’s Kamran Akmal has 272 runs in head to head matches, the most by any batsman across the two sides.
Peshawar Zalmi’s Faf du Plessis top-scored for Chennai Super Kings in the recently concluded IPL with 449 runs.