PSL 2021: Match 5, Multan Sultans Predicted Playing11 against Peshawar Zalmi

Multan Sultans will lock horns against Peshawar Zalmi in their sixth game of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 on Tuesday. The Mohammad Rizwan-led side will be looking to open their account today after starting their season with a three-wicket loss to Islamabad United. Multan Sultans put up a good fight with the ball but failed to strike the killer blow.

Defending 151, the Sultans had United reeling at 74 for 6 at one stage. At that stage, the game looked all but over in Sultans’ favour but the Multan-based outfit failed to find a way past Lewis Gregory. The England player played an unbeaten knock of 49 to take his team home in a thrilling manner. Just like Sultans, Zalmi will also come into this game after a defeat as both the teams will be eyeing their first win of PSL 2021.

Here is Multan Sultans’ playing eleven for their game against Peshawar Zalmi:

Openers (Mohammad Rizwan (C and WK), Chris Lynn)

All eyes will be on Mohammad Rizwan once again when he leads the Sultans against Zalmi. Leading a PSL team for the first time in his career, Rizwan has been in stunning form with the bat and would be hoping that his form continues tonight. After scoring Test and T20I centuries against South Africa a few days ago, Rizwan started his PSL campaign with a 71-run knock.

His opening partner Chris Lynn, however, has struggled for form in recent times. The hard-hitting Australia was out for just 1 against Islamabad United. However, Lynn was in good form in the Big Bash League and his team would be hoping that he rediscovers his form today. Rizwan and Lynn have the potential to take the game away from the opposition in a blink of an eye.

Middle-order batsmen: (James Vince, Rilee Rossouw, Sohaib Maqsood, Khushdil Shah)

James Vince, Rilee Rossouw, Sohaib Maqsood and Khushdil Shah will shoulder the responsibility of Sultans’ middle-order. Vince and Rossouw had got the starts against Islamabad but had failed to make them count. Vince scored 16 before being dismissed by his compatriot Lewis Gregory while Rossouw was sent back for 25 by Shadab Khan.

Maqsood and Shah, on the other hand, had failed to get going and were out for  2 and 7 runs respectively. After the indifferent performance against Islamabad, Sultans’ middle-order will be eyeing a better performance against the Zalmi.

All-rounders (Carlos Brathwaite, Shahid Afridi)

Carlos Brathwaite had a good outing in the previous game as he made a mark with both bat and ball. The former West Indies T20I captain played a fine cameo of 22 off 14 balls to help his team post a challenging total. With the ball, he picked up two wickets while giving away just 23 runs off his four overs.

Shahid Afridi also left his mark in the previous outing but only with the ball. After falling for a duck, the former Pakistan skipper picked up two wickets with the ball and also affected a run-out. At one stage, Afridi’s spell and the run-out had put the Sultans on top before they ended up losing the game.

Bowlers: (Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Umar, Sohaibullah)

Sultans’ bowlers – Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Umar and Sohaibullah had terrible outings against Islamabad United. The only positive from the game was Umar providing an early breakthrough by dismissing Philip Salt. That was the only wicket taken by Sultans’ main bowlers against Islamabad United.

Tanvir, who is one of the most experienced players in the PSL, conceded 38 runs off his four overs while Sohaibullah gave away 26 runs in three overs. Umar, on the other hand, was the most expensive bowler as he conceded 34 runs in just three overs. The trio will have their task cut out in the upcoming game.