Analysis for the match.
The bottom two teams in the 2023 points table are going to lock horns in Match 22 of PSL 2023 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. With both teams losing their previous contest, they need to win every remaining game to stand a chance at mathematically qualifying for the Top 4 berths. Before this showdown, let us take a detailed look at Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings probably playing XI, team news, weather report, pitch analysis, and much more.
Quetta Gladiators are placed last in the points table after being able to win just 1 of their 6 games in PSL 2023. After winning their inaugural game of this edition, the Gladiators are currently on a five-game winning streak and will be hoping to keep themselves alive by emerging victorious in Match 22.
Karachi Kings have played 8 games in PSL 2023 and have only managed to win 2 of them. Currently placed 5th in the points table, they need to clinch victories in both games to be able to reach a respectable total and hope for several results to go their way in order for them to qualify for the playoffs.
Must see point.
1). The Karachi Kings have a much stronger batting line-up compared to the Gladiators.
2). The Gladiators are on a 5-match losing streak.
3). The Karachi Kings have a stronger team when compared player-to-player.
Match Prediction: KRK to win the match.
1). If QTG won the toss and opted to bowl first, KRK could score 180-200 runs.
2). If KRK won the toss and opted to bowl first, QTG could score 170-190 runs.
Secondary Predictions.
1). Najibullah Zadran total runs - over 19.5 runs.
Najibullah Zadran came to life in Match 21 as he smashed 59 runs off just 34 runs, giving a quality finish to the batting innings of the Gladiators.
2). Imad Wasim total runs - Over 20.5 runs
Imad Wasim finally came to life in PSL 2023 as he smashed an applaud-worthy 92-run inning for the Karachi Kings in just 54 balls, batting at a strike rate of 170.
3). Hasan Ali total wickets - Over 1.5 wickets.
Mohammad Nawaz is coming on the back of another half-century innings against Islamabad United in the previous game. We predict him to score over 40 runs in Match 22 as well.
Match Preview.
The Gladiators haven’t been in the best of forms this season as they have managed to win just 1 of the 7 matches that they have played so far. The team has lost each of its last 5 matches and will be pretty low on confidence when they take on the field.
The batsmen have failed to get going for the Gladiators and that has been one of the biggest reasons for their poor run in the tournament. Will Smeed and Yasir Shah haven’t been able to give their team a good start, while Sarfaraz Ahmed, who is one of the team’s most experienced players, has struggled to play consistently. Iftikhar Ahmed, who was excellent during this year’s Bangladesh Premier League, has failed to bring his form here.
However, the team will take some hope from the fact that Mohammad Nawaz seems to have finally found some form. He, along with Najibullah Zadran, put up a 104-run partnership in the last match, with both players scoring individual half-centuries.
It is a similar story with the bowling too, as the team’s premier bowler, Naseem Shah, has failed to get going. Veteran pacer Umaid Asif has played just 2 matches so far and appears to be in good touch, while Nawaz will be hoping to contribute more with the ball after claiming a total of 7 wickets in as many matches.
The Karachi Kings have played some close contests this season but have been rather unlucky as most of the results swung away from them.
The batting has been one of the strongest points for the Kings so far. Captain Imad Wasim has led from the front, scoring a total of 329 runs. The other batsmen, including Shoaib Malik and Matthew Wade, have given him some good support. However, Adam Rossington and Sharjeel Khan have failed to get going and all eyes will be on them during the upcoming matches.
Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan have got some good starts but have failed to convert them into big innings. Talking about the bowling, the Kings will once again depend on Mohammad Amir to give the team a good start with the new ball, while Aamer Yamin will look to play a supporting role. Andrew Tye makes a comeback in the team and he will be looking to pick some early wickets here.
Tabraiz Shamsi has done a decent job with the ball during the middle overs and the Kings will be hoping that he bowls a tight line and length to put the opposition batsmen under pressure.
Match details.
Time - Mar 6th, 07:30 pm, IST.
Venue - Pindi Club Ground - Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Pitch reports.
The Pindi Cricket Stadium offers an excellent opportunity for the batsmen to score runs and the average first-inning score here is around 190. The quicker bowlers will enjoy bowling here thanks to the pace offered by the pitch, while the spinners are likely to struggle here.
The weather is expected to remain a bit overcast with temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius.
Team News.
Quetta Gladiators>>
Given how depleted this unit has looked throughout the PSL 2023 campaign, there could be some changes made in the starting Xi despite numerous combinations failing to fire.The Gladiators are entering Match 22 on the back of a loss against Islamabad United by 2 wickets.
Possible XI - Yasir Khan, Martin Guptill, Will Smeed, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk/c), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Odean Smith, Umaid Asif, Naseem Shah, Naveen-ul-Haq
Karachi Kings>>
Karachi Kings have played 8 games in PSL 2023 and have only managed to win 2 of them. Currently placed 5th in the points table, they need to clinch victories in both games to be able to reach a respectable total and hope for several results to go their way in order for them to qualify for the playoffs.
Possible XI - Matthew Wade, Adam Rossington (wk), Sharjeel Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Shoaib Malik, Irfan Khan, Imad Wasim (c), Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Amir, Andrew Tye, Tabraiz Shamsi