‘Fully prepared’ Sultans take on experienced Zalmi in HBL PSL final today

KARACHI: After overcoming tough challenges with a solid approach the first-time finalists Multan Sultans will take on former champions Peshawar Zalmi in what could be a tense final of the HBL PSL-6, at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (today).

The game starts at 9 pm PST.

Both sides did well in the playoffs to make it to the decider.

Multan defeated Islamabad United in the Qualifier by 31 runs to reach their first PSL final. Zalmi, the 2017 winners, defeated Karachi Kings by five wickets and overwhelmed two-time champions Islamabad United by eight wickets in the eliminators to set the final date with Sultans.

Multan’s success story reflects their strong resolve and the commitment with which they played in the Abu Dhabi leg after having won just one game from five outings in the Karachi leg.

Multan, coached by former Zimbabwe skipper Andy Flower, registered four successive wins in Abu Dhabi before losing the final league game against United. But it did not affect their position as they finished second due to better net run-rate despite having finished with ten points along with Zalmi and Kings.

Multan have been playing with specialist batsmen and specialist bowlers. It has helped them click in the event.

Shan Masood, Sohaib Maqsood, Mohammad Rizwan, Khushdil Shah and Johnson Charles are all in form with the willow and will be making their full effort to produce the desired result.

Shahnawaz Dhani, Imran Khan Senior, Sohail Tanvir, Blessing Muzarabani and leggie Imran Tahir have been terrific with the leather.

Multan Sultans’ skipper Mohammad Rizwan has said they will go all out and try their best to produce the desired performance.

“We are fully prepared. We will put in our best effort and will pray to God Almighty for the desired result,” Rizwan told a news conference on Wednesday.

He said they had prepared plans for every player of the opposition. “We will go with a different plan against every player. If we get an early wicket of Zazai, Zalmi have Shoaib Malik and they have depth in their batting. I cannot disclose the details but we have planned for the whole opposition,” Rizwan said.

Zalmi, playing their fourth PSL final, are more experienced and will have the advantage of this in the decider. Zalmi will be looking forward to another handy contribution from their Afghan opener Hazratullah Zazai who hit back-to-back fifties to play a key role in Zalmi’s wins in the eliminators.

Introducing Australian batsman Jonathan Wells against United in the eliminator on Tuesday was a solid step from Zalmi as the right-hander hit an unbeaten 55. Shoaib Malik, having hit two nice fifties and an unbeaten brief but fiery knock against United in the eliminator-2 on Tuesday, will be a main actor for Zalmi as he is fit and can bat in pressure situations.

Rovman Powell and Sherone Rutherford are the others who will be looking to support Zalmi’s batting in the death overs.

Wahab Riaz, having a fine event so far with the ball, will be looking to lead from the front. Umaid Asif, Amad Butt and a few spin options will try to thwart Multan’s batsmen’s onslaught.