Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators Prediction: Quetta going with new captain this season

Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators are going head to head in the 2nd Match of Pakistan Super League at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Cantt, Pakistan on 18 Feb 2024. Quetta is going with a new captain with the hope of a change in fortunes in this new season. Who will win this game of cricket?

Peshawar Zalmi is embarking on their journey to secure a second PSL title after winning the tournament in 2017 and being runners-up three times. They were eliminated at the play-off stage in 2022 and 2023, so it will be interesting to see how they perform this season. The team has made a notable addition to their squad by recruiting West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph in place of England's Gus Atkinson. Joseph's impressive performance against Australia in Test cricket has raised expectations for his contribution. Another promising player for Zalmi is England batter Daniel Mousley, who has gained experience playing for MI Emirates in the International League T20 in UAE, even though he hasn't been capped at the ODI or T20I level yet. This experience should benefit him during his time in Pakistan.

Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (wk), Mohammad Haris, Rovman Powell, Asif Ali, Haseebullah Khan, Mehran Mumtaz, Aamer Jamal, Salman Irshad, Waqar Salamkheil.

Quetta emerged as champions in the 2019 PSL, but their performance in the subsequent seasons has been disappointing with four consecutive group-stage exits. It has been five years since they last made it to the playoffs, and their recent record could either motivate them or hold them back in the upcoming tournament. The Gladiators have an exciting few weeks ahead, with a new captain in South African player Rilee Rossouw taking over from Sarfaraz Ahmed. They have also added former Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait to their support staff, working alongside head coach Shane Watson. West Indian batsman Sherfane Rutherford and Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga are key players for Quetta, with Hasaranga expected to shine as a wrist spinner and Rutherford bringing quick scoring capabilities at the top of the order.

Jason Roy, Will Smeed, Rilee Rossouw (c), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Mohammad Wasim, Mohammad Hasnain, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Qadir, Mohammad Amir.

The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore has been selected as the venue for this match. In the last three T20Is held at this ground, the decision to bat first after winning the toss has been made. Out of the last six T20Is played here, five have been won by the team batting first. The recent first-innings totals in T20I matches at this venue have been 163, 192, and 182, indicating that it is a high-scoring ground where a score of around 170 or more can be competitive. Spin bowling is expected to play a crucial role, suggesting that it would be beneficial to have two specialist slow bowlers in the team. The weather forecast for match day in Lahore predicts hot and humid conditions with no rain expected. 

Peshawar appears to have a better chance of winning compared to Quetta, given their strong batting lineup. Quetta, on the other hand, seems to have a weaker bowling department. Considering these factors, it may be a good idea to bet on underdog Zalmi to defeat the favorites Quetta.