PSL 2020, Match 14, Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings, Preview – Both teams eager to get back to the winning ways

Islamabad United lost their previous PSL game against the defending champions Quetta Gladiators and it would have been an eye-opener for them. They suffered defeat due to the poor performance of their bowling unit, who failed to restrict opponents from chasing a mammoth target of 187 runs in stipulated 20 overs. They will now look to give some tuning their bowlers ahead of their clash against Karachi Kings. After a washout the other night, the United will be eager to get on the field.

Karachi Kings is at the fifth position with two points as they suffered back to back defeats. They have been struggling due to the poor form of their players, who are unable to click breakthrough performances in any department of the game. It is early but they need to mark their ways back on the winning track as soon as possible before the time runs out. Their experienced and senior players need to take responsibility to sail their side to win in the upcoming clash.

Team Combinations

Islamabad United

Islamabad United will look to go with their preferred opening pair that comprises of Luke Ronchi and Colin Munro as they have done a decent job at that position in PSL 2020. Dawid Malan at the number three position looks in his prime touch with the bat as he is currently the leading run-scorer for his team. In the middle order, they have skipper Shadab Khan and Colin Ingram, who have also begun smoking runs and is the biggest plus for United in the tournament. Later on, Faheem Ashraf and Asif Ali can also play some quickfire knocks with the bat.

They have a formidable fast bowling unit that comprises of Rumman Raees, Muhammad Musa and Amad Butt, who have done well but not with the consistency which has been the reason behind the downfall of the team. Nevertheless, the trio will look to improve and pick wickets consistently.

Karachi Kings

Karachi Kings have some big problems to deal with. Their top-order batsman Sharjeel Khan’s woeful form continues in the fifth edition of PSL and the team management might replace him with young exciting opener Awais Zia, who s coming off a brilliant domestic season.

Babar Azam is in good form and he is the leading run-scorer for his team. So, he will continue to open the innings. Their middle-order batsman Alex Hales, Chadwick Walton and Cameron Delport have not played a single breakthrough knock in the tournament. The team management will be hopeful of them playing some outrageous knocks. In the bowling unit, they have Mohammad Amir and Chris Jordan leading the attack followed by Umaid Asif, who has given decent performances in PSL 2020.

Focus will be on

Dawid Malan (Islamabad United)

Dawid Malan is in red hot form with the bat in PSL 2020. He is currently at the 5th position in terms of leading run-scorer. So far, he has mustered 131 runs in four games with one half-century at a strike rate of 142.39. The responsibility will be on his shoulder to sail his team onto the winning shores. A win in the next game might help them in grabbing the 2nd position in the league table but everything will depend on their winning margin.

Babar Azam (Karachi Kings)

Babar Azam has performed equivalent to his reputation in international cricket. He is currently the leading run-scorer for his team in the tournament. He has scored 117 runs in his three outings with one fifty and Karachi Kings will surely bank on him to click another good knock against Islamabad United in order to help his team in winning the game and grab two important points.

Head to Head

Matches played – 12 | Islamabad United won– 8 | Karachi Kings won – 4 | Draw – 0

Stat Attack

109 – Luke Ronchi has scored for Islamabad United in PSL 2020 at a strike rate of 165.15

5 – Muhammad Musa has scalped five wickets in PSL 2020 for Islamabad United.

Broadcast Details

TV – DSport

Live Streaming – Cricketgateway.com

Match Timings – 7:30 PM IST and 3:00 PM GMT