Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi Prediction: Babar Azam will be a key player

Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi are going head to head in the 6th Match of the Pakistan Super League at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Cantt, Pakistan on 21 Feb 2024. Babar Azam will be a key player in this game. Who will win this game of cricket?

After suffering a loss against the Multan Sultans, Karachi will enter their upcoming match at the bottom of the PSL standings. This presents them with an opportunity to bounce back and compete for this year's tournament title. In their previous game, the Kings were only able to secure two wickets against their opponents. They will need to enhance their bowling performance collectively and individually. Players like Mir Hamza and Daniel Sams, who each took a wicket in the last match, will be crucial in this regard. Sams, known as one of the top left-arm seamers in domestic T20 cricket globally, also brings value with his batting skills. His strong performances could potentially earn him a spot back in the national team ahead of the T20 World Cup. Karachi will also rely on experienced players like Shoaib Malik and Shan Masood for their batting strength. Malik, who scored a half-century in the previous match, and Masood, the team captain, will look to lead by example. Additionally, with the presence of West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard, Karachi has a powerful hitter who can make significant contributions with the bat.

James Vince, Shan Masood (c), Saad Baig (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Daniel Sams, Hasan Ali, Tabraiz Shamsi, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Aamir Khan

Zalmi will also be entering this match following a recent defeat to the Quetta Gladiators, currently holding just one position above the Kings on the PSL points table. Peshawar boasts a talented XI and strong squad depth, but they need to turn that into on-field success. Their standout bowling asset is Salman Irshad, known for his slingy action and pace, having showcased his skills in various global leagues. Captain Babar Azam, a key leader for Zalmi, scored a half-century in the last game and is expected to open the batting again, with Rovman Powell and Saim Ayub providing good support.

Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, Asif Ali, Dan Mousley, Aamer Jamal, Luke Wood, Mohammad Zeeshan, Salman Irshad

The upcoming match will take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which has been the venue for three 2024 PSL fixtures already. The stadium has seen first-innings totals of 187, 195, and 206 in the tournament, indicating that it is a high-scoring venue where a score above 180 is considered competitive. It is advisable to have two specialist bowlers in the team when playing at this venue, possibly even opening the bowling with one.

Zalmi is currently in a better position to win compared to the Kings, as they have strong bowling resources and a batting lineup capable of scoring big or successfully chasing large targets. With Peshawar being the favourites, and Karachi being the underdogs, betting on Peshawar to win is a good option.