Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine will see a double-header on Sunday as Multan Sultans will host the Karachi Kings in a night encounter at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
The two teams have previously clashed in 11 matches, with Karachi Kings holding a slight advantage, winning 6 matches, while Multan Sultans secured 5 victories.
Multan Sultans have emerged as one of the most consistent teams in recent PSL seasons, reaching the finals in the last three campaigns. As they embark on a new season, the Sultans aim to maintain their impressive record.
Wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan will lead the Sultans, showcasing a solid batting lineup with local talents such as Yasir Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Khushdil Shah.
The team also boasts international batting prowess with players like Dawid Malan and Reeza Hendricks. However, the middle order lacks a quality all-rounder, with David Willey being the sole international option.
In the bowling department, the absence of key seamers Ihsanullah and Reece Topley due to injuries is a setback.
Chris Jordan and Shahnawaz Dahani are expected to lead the new-ball attack, while Usama Mir and Faisal Akram will handle spin duties.
On the other hand, Karachi Kings, who finished in the bottom two in the last two seasons, aim for an improved performance this time. They have strengthened their middle order with the inclusion of all-rounders Kieron Pollard and Daniel Sams, capable of contributing with both bat and ball.
Experienced players Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Nawaz bring valuable PSL experience to the team. Shan Masood and James Vince are likely to open the batting, aiming for quick runs during the powerplay.
The absence of Jamie Overton due to injuries poses a challenge for Karachi Kings' pace attack, increasing the pressure on Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza. However, the spin department looks robust with Tabraiz Shamsi and Arafat Minhas.
Pitch Report
The Multan Cricket Stadium pitch heavily favours batters, with high run-scoring expectations. Bowling first is considered ideal due to potential dew in the second innings. A total above 180 runs is deemed competitive.
Probable Playing XIs
Multan Sultans: Reeza Hendricks, Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Dawid Malan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Tayyab Tahir, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani
Karachi Kings: Shan Masood (c), James Vince, Mohammad Akhlaq, Shoaib Malik, Irfan Niazi, Mohammad Nawaz, Daniel Sams, Hasan Ali, Blessing Muzarabani, Mir Hamza, Tabraiz Shamsi
Prediction
Multan Sultans appear stronger than Karachi Kings and enjoy the advantage of the home crowd, giving them the upper hand in the upcoming match.
