PSL 2019: Multan Sultans have task cut out against near-perfect Quetta Gladiators

Waseem Ahmed 10:59 19/02/2019
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  • Shahid Afrid. Image: @thePSLt20/Twitter

    After an exhilarating start at Dubai, the 2019 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) now moves to Sharjah with Multan Sultans set to take on Quetta Gladiators on Wednesday.

    Having tasted a narrow defeat against Karachi Kings in their PSL opener, Multan bounced back strongly with a comprehensive five-wicket win over defending champions Islamabad United.

    One of the chief architects of Multan’s win over Islamabad United was Shahid Afridi with the veteran all-rounder producing a vintage display. While Afridi’s form with both bat and ball augurs well for the revamped franchise, the Sultans are set to be further bolstered by the arrival of Dan Christian following the completion of his Big Bash League duties.

    Fresh from his man-of-the-match display for Melbourne Renegades in the final, Christian’s arrival will open up plenty of options for skipper Shoaib Malik with the balance he can provide to the side.

    The key for Multan though, will be to get the best out of Andre Russell who has so far only showed glimpses of his immense talents in the two matches so far. If the star West Indies man can get firing on all cylinders, it would be hard for any team to tackle Multan with their multiple all-round options.

    In Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan, they already have a pace attack of note while youngster Ali Shafiq showed plenty of promise in the win over Islamabad. Most of Multan’s bases are starting to get covered although a few holes remain in the top-order.

    Despite their all-round options, Multan will have their task cut out against a Quetta side which has made a blazing start to their campaign and have established themselves as the early league leaders.

    With two wins out of two, the Gladiators are already looking like the team to beat in the PSL with Sarfraz Ahmed and his men brushing aside the challenges posed by Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United with ease.

    In both the wins, Quetta managed to restrict the opposition to a total below 160 before their batsmen completed the job in comprehensive fashion. In the batting department, it has been Umar Akmal who has led the charge with two notable performances, especially his 50-ball 75 in the win over Peshawar.

    While Akmal has been excellent with the bat, Shane Watson has started to come into his own with his 55-ball 81 setting up a comfortable win against Islamabad. In the bowling department, Mohammad Nawaz and Sohail Tanvir have impressed while Australia leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed showed his worth a three-wicket haul in the last match.

    One worry for Quetta though will be the form of opener Ahmed Shehzad who was dismissed for a golden duck against Peshawar before falling for just two against Islamabad.

    TEAM NEWS

    With the Big Bash League coming to a close on Sunday, both teams will have some fresh faces in the squad.

    For Multan, Christian should return and slot straight into the playing XI. Quetta, meanwhile, will welcome the arrivals of all-rounder Dwayne Bravo and left-arm pacer Harry Gurney.

    LIKELY XIs

    Multan Sultans: Shan Masood, Johnson Charles (wk), Laurie Evans, Shoaib Malik (c), Hammad Azam, Andre Russell, Dan Christian, Shahid Afridi, Ali Shafiq, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan

    Quetta Gladiators: Shane Watson, Ahmed Shehzad, Rilee Rossouw, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed (c and wk), Dwayne Bravo, Mohammad Nawaz, Ghulam Mudassar, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan Jr, Fawad Ahmed

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