Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi Match Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News and Predictions – 22/02/2020
Quetta and Peshawar will renew their Pakistan Super League rivalry when they clash in Karachi.
The game is a repeat of the 2019 final when the Gladiators beat Zalmi by eight wickets to secure their first-ever title.
Quetta have enjoyed having the upper hand on Peshawar over the years and will be hoping for more of the same as they look to keep their hands on the PSL trophy this time around.
They made a winning start to their defense when dishing out a three-wicket defeat to Islamabad United on the opening day.
Zalmi have only won five of the 14 games played between the teams prior to PSL 2020. They are also winless in the last four meetings so will be keen to set the record straight. Their first game of the season saw them slip to a 10-run defeat at Karachi Kings.
Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi – Match Preview
Where: National Stadium, Karachi
When: Saturday 22nd February
Pitch conditions: The National Stadium proved to be better for teams batting first when the last eight PSL fixtures were held at the venue in 2019. An average first-innings score was at 184 and you can expect teams to want to continue to bat first if given the chance.
Weather conditions: It will be another hot, sunny day in Karachi for this one with temperatures around the 30c mark.
Start Time: 14:30 (IST), 09:00 (GMT)
Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi – Latest Odds
Despite defending champions Quetta getting off to a winning start and Peshawar losing first time up, it is Zalmi that are made favourites for this one.
Peshawar are considered the 1.80 (4/5) favourites with bet365. The Gladiators can be backed at even money.
Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi – Team News
The Gladiators now have England limited-overs star Jason Roy in their ranks. His link-up with Shane Watson and Shehzad Ahmed had the home side even more batting power.
It will be interesting to see how Quetta adapt to life without South African Rossouw and bowler Sohail Tanvir after both men moved to Multan Sultans.
They still have Mohammad Nawaz in their bowling attack. He’s the most successful spinner in PSL history may have an important role to play in this one.
Peshawar will again look to both Kamran Akmal and Wahab Riaz. The duo are the highest run-scorer and top wicket-taker in the history of the Pakistan Super League.
However, the exciting addition of talented Tom Banton and Liam Livingstone give them an extra dimension this season. Zalmi will be without Dwaine Pretorius for this game after he was picked to play for South Africa’s T20I team against Australia.
Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi – Squads
| Quetta Gladiators |
Peshawar Zalmi |
| Sarfaraz Ahmed |
Darren Sammy |
| Ahsan Ali |
Mohammad Amir Khan |
| Mohammad Nawaz |
Aamir Ali |
| Keemo Paul |
Umar Amin |
| Sohail Khan |
Rahat Ali |
| Aarish Ali |
Wahab Riaz |
| Ben Cutting |
Hasan Ali |
| Fawad Ahmed |
Kamran Akmal |
| Shane Watson |
Tom Banton |
| Ahmed Shehzad |
Lewis Gregory |
| Mohammad Hasnain |
Liam Livingstone |
| Naseem Shah |
Carlos Brathwaite |
| Abdul Nasir |
Mohammad Mohsin |
| Khurram Manzoor |
Haider Ali |
| Azam Khan |
Imam-ul-Haq |
| Jason Roy |
Liam Dawson |
| Tymal Mills |
Shoaib Malik |
| Anwar Ali |
Kieron Pollard |
Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi – Betting Tips and Prediction
This looks another close PSL contest but a slight preference goes to Peshawar Zalmi. They didn’t quite get over the line against Karachi Kings but there was some encouraging performances for them to build on, especially with the bat.
Kamran Akmal’s 43 and a half-century from Liam Livingstone look promising. If opener Tom Banton can also fire then Quetta could have their work cut out.
Banton to announce himself on PSL stage
Tom Banton showed exactly what he can do with some impressive displays in the BBL last month. It could be worth siding with the young English talent in this one.
He was at a run-a-ball 13 when dismissed by countryman Chris Jordan against Karachi but can improve on that here now his first Pakistan Super League game is out of the way. The opener should be able to settle and do some damage next to Akmal.
Banton is 4.00 (3/1) with bet365 to be Zalmi’s top run-scorer. It could also be worth backing him to hit the most sixes in the match at 6.00 (5/1) with the same firm.
Zalmi openers to dominate?
If Banton can fire in Karachi then it means Peshawar’s openers have a fine chance at outshining their Quetta counterparts.
It was Akmal that caught the eye for the Zalmi last time and the duo can shine together. Peshawar are valued at 1.91 (10/11) with bet365 to have the highest opening partnership.
Quetta’s Jason Roy failed to hit the ground running in the 2020 season when going for a duck. Experienced fellow opener Shane Watson could only manage 15 before being run out. It could be worth taking them on here.
Best Bet: Peshawar to have the highest opening partnership at 1.91 (10/11) with bet365
February 22, 2020 
09:00 
