5 Exciting battles fans will look forward to in an IPL v PSL clash

4. Imad Wasim vs Suresh Raina

Imad Wasim has been one of Pakistan’s top performers ever since he made his debut for the Pakistan U-19 team. His lack of pace forced him to give up on his dream of emulating Pakistan’s legendary pace bowler Wasim Akram. However, the youngster took it up as a challenge and decided to adapt himself. A switch to left-arm spin bowling has worked out pretty well for him.

His big hitting abilities have transformed him into a reliable middle order batsman and a powerful finisher in the shorter format of the game which is a good sign for a country crying out for a big-hitting allrounder ever since Abdul Razzaq decided to retire.

Wasim has scored 708 runs in 76 matches at a strike rate of 123.56. He has also managed to pick up 74 wickets at an economy rate of 6.35 and a strike rate of 20.4 which indicates how sublime his performances have been.

Recently he became the second fastest bowler after Umar Gul in Pakistan’s cricketing history to take a 5-wicket haul in T20 Internationals. His stunning performances for PSL franchise Karachi Kings in the 2016 season certainly did his reputation no harm.

Suresh Raina is the second highest all-time run scorer in the IPL. He has scored 6326 runs in 242 matches at a strike rate of 139 and an average of 33.12. The attacking left-handed batsman can clear boundaries easily and is also one of the best fielders currently out there.

The current Gujarat Lions skipper can split the field and discover gaps in any scenario which has earned him comparisons to Indian legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar.

He is also extremely potent as a bowler having picked up 50 wickets at an economy rate of 7.14 and a strike rate of 26. His right arm off-break bowling has earned his team breakthroughs in many tough situations which have made the difference between a victory and a defeat.

The battle between Wasim and Raina will be a major factor in the outcome of the game. Raina can shatter the confidence of the opposition bowlers with his big hitting when in form and  Wasim will be looking to snap him up early with his left-armers.