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Qalandars will be taking on United to resume the earlier suspended Pakistan Super League 2021 on Tuesday (June 1) at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The PSL 2021 was brought to a halt during its traditional window in March after a cluster of COVID-19 positive cases among players and support staff.
News also did the rounds on how the biosecurity bubble deployed for the tournament in Pakistan wasn’t as secured, forcing the Pakistan Cricket Board to ultimately postpone the PSL 2021 indefinitely.
However, after much headache, the PCB authorities successfully managed to find a suitable alternative window to conduct the remainder of the competition through June at a new destination.
The PSL has returned to Abu Dhabi, offering all six teams a fair chance to bag the coveted title in neutral conditions.
Both the Qalandars and United will be re-entering the race for the PSL trophy on more or less an equal ground, having won three and lost one of their four matches each in Pakistan. Only the net run-rate separates third positioned United from Qalandars, who are currently fourth in the six-team points table.
Key Players
Alex Hales was fantastic for Islamabad in the initial part of the PSL 2021 and will be looking to continue in the same vein. The England right-hand batsman blasted 139 runs from his 4 innings at a strike-rate of 171.60 before the PSL 2021 was suspended in March. Hales had batted commendably in the previous edition of the PSL as well, scoring 272 runs from his seven innings at an average of 45.33 and strike-rate of 148.63.
Hasan Ali was United’s stand-out bowler in the Pakistan leg of the tournament. He took 6 wickets from his 4 outings while conceding only 5.56 runs per over. Hasan is majorly responsible for United’s standing in the upper half of the PSL 2021 points table. The skiddy right-arm quick will be looking to maintain his good form and rhythm in the Middle East, where the surfaces should suit his style of fast-bowling.
Faheem Ashraf was the other of United’s dependable bowler during their first four matches. The all-rounder chipped in four scalps at an economy rate of only 6.15. United will be hoping that Faheem can continue to produce the goods as he balances their team nicely, providing them depth in either department.
Mohammad Hafeez batted very well for Lahore Qalandars during the Pakistan leg of PSL 2021, scoring 181 runs from 4 innings at a strike-rate of 175.72. Hafeez, who didn’t have the best of outings on trips to South Africa and Zimbabwe, will be taking comfort and confidence from his return to the Qalandars’ camp. Last year, Hafeez was one of Qalandars more consistent performers with the bat and played his part in taking them to the tournament final.
Fakhar Zaman was at his explosive best when the PSL 2021 was initially played. The attacking left-hand batsman made 189 runs from his 4 outings at a fantastic strike-rate of 143.18. Zaman missed out in Zimbabwe but was in stellar form against South Africa recently and will be hoping to reproduce his best for the Qalandars, who will be eyeing a successful resumption to their campaign versus the United.
Rashid Khan is now confirmed to take part in the rest of the Qalandars’ campaign, very good news for the last year’s runners-up, who were staring at his potential absence until recently. Rashid played two matches for Qalandars in the Pakistan leg before leaving the camp for international commitments. In his two outings, the world’s premier T20 spinner picked up a solitary wicket but conceded runs at only 5.50 runs per over, reflective of how teams look to cut down risks against him.
Prediction
Last year, Islamabad United defeated Lahore Qalandars in both of their league encounters, but the latter finished higher in the points table and even reached the final of the competition in Karachi.
And though United are placed higher than their rivals in the standings for this year’s edition of the league so far, it is Qalandars who have been the more robust performers. While the United have depended largely on their bowlers, Qalandars have had more contributions from their batters.
It is, however, still very difficult to pick between teams as the surface and overhead conditions in Abu Dhabi, albeit considered similar to Pakistan, are quite unique and will be testing their depth and resolve.
United will hope that the likes of Hales, Hasan and Faheem can continue to perform and cover-up for their issues, whereas the Qalandars will want more out of their batting outside Hafeez, Zaman and Rashid on the bowling front. It seems Qalandars are much better placed across departments for this one and could come out on top.
