Summary The high-voltage match will begin at 7PM PST.
(Dunya News) – Reigning champions Peshawar Zalmi are all set to face two-time finalists Quetta Gladiators in the second playoff of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018 here at Lahore Gaddafi Stadium today.
Both teams have arrived at the stadium while the high-voltage match will begin at 7PM PST.
The Peshawar Zalmi squad is on its way to the Gaddafi Stadium to face @TeamQuetta in the first #HBLPSL eliminator. #YellowStorm #HumZalmi pic.twitter.com/gKLwsQW3SX
— PeshawarZalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) March 20, 2018
The winner of the match will play third playoff with Karachi Kings at the same venue while the losing team will be knocked out of the tournament.
Read also: All foreign players of Peshawar Zalmi ready to visit Pakistan
All foreign players of Peshawar Zalmi including skipper Darren Sammy, Liam Dawson, Rikki Wessels, Chris Jordan, Tamim Iqbal and Ander Fletcher had landed in Lahore today at 1:40AM respectively. However, Dwayne Smith fled back to West Indies owing to family reasons.
Read also: Kevin Pietersen refuses to play PSL matches in Pakistan
A famine of foreign players has once again struck Sarfraz-XI as their two key players—Kevin Pieterson and Shane Watson—have refused to visit Pakistan. However, the South African hard-hitter Rilee Rossouw has changed his mind at the last moment and joined the Gladiators’ squad in Lahore.
Quetta Gladiators tigers are here — Mahmudullah and @PereraThisara #QGvPZ pic.twitter.com/bE4Nd1RDs0
— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) March 20, 2018
In the league stage, both teams faced each other twice and won one each respectively.
Weather forecast
A blanket of clouds is hovering over Lahore with city receiving intermittent rain at scattered parts. If the match is washed out by severe weather conditions, the result would be announced on Net Run Rate (NRR). As per experts, Peshawar Zalmi—on basis of better NRR—will qualify for the second eliminator and face Karachi Kings.
In the spotlight
Kamran Akmal: The senior Akmal is in sublime form and will be key figure for Zalmi, be it their first innings or second innings. He is also the only century-maker of PSL 2018 thus far. With batting average of 43.37 in the ongoing season at impressive strike-rate of 145.79, the senior Akmal will be the player to look out for.
Anwar Ali: In the absence of Watson and Pieterson, all-rounder Anwar Ali can play key role for Gladiators. Ali is Gladiators’ third highest wicket taker in the current season thus far whereas he has the potential to swing the game with his bat.
