Multan Sultans faced off against Quetta Gladiators in the 25th Pakistan Super League match. It will be an interesting game between two teams looking to climb up the points table and make a name for themselves. Things have not looked great this season for either side and they have dropped some crucial points already.

Multan Sultans:

Multan Sultans came riding on a big win against Peshawar Zalmi. Mohammad Rizwan and Sohaib Maqsood scored half-centuries to chase down 166 runs in 16.3 overs. Their bowling in Imran Khan Sr and Imran Tahir performed well. The addition of West Indies hard-hitter Shimron Hetmyer is a big boost to the team. Johnson Charles, Hammad Azam and  Wasim Mohammad have also joined the team. Multan is currently fifth on the table but a win on Wednesday could take them to the top three.

Multan Sultans Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Hammad Azam, Imran Tahir, Imran Khan Snr, Johnson Charles, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Umar, Obed McCoy, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rilee Rossouw, Shahid Afridi, Shahnawaz Dhani, Shan Masood, Shimron Hetmyer (partially available), Sohaib Maqsood, Sohaibullah, Sohail Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Usman Qadir and Muhammad Waseem.

Quetta Gladiators: 

A much-needed win came for Quetta Gladiators when they defeated Lahore Qalandars by 18 runs. Sarfaraz Khan and company still remain at the bottom of the table and even with a win against Multan Sultans the situation will not change. A young Usman Khan Shinwari was the architect of Quetta’s win as the left-arm pacer bagged three wickets. Khurram Shahzad’s 3/14 in three overs also played a major role in Quetta’s win.

With the bat Jake Weatherald, Sarfaraz Khan and Azam Khan did play handy knocks but none of them could go big.

Quetta Gladiators Squad: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Azam Khan, Zahid Mahmood, Anwar Ali, Usman Shinwari, Cameron Delport, Abdul Nasir, Arish Ali Khan, Usman Khan, Saim Ayub, Faf du Plessis, Andre Russell, Hassan Khan, Jack Wildermuth, Jake Weatherald, Khurram Shahzad, Zahir Khan, Qais Ahmad

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators have faced each other six times in PSL. Sultans have won two matches and Gladiators have emerged victorious on four occasions.

PREDICTION:

Sheikh Zayed Stadium presents a dry pitch, which means spinners and batsmen will be looking forward to the contest. The first innings average score on the pitch is approximately 162 runs. Quetta has gained momentum but they’d have to go an extra mile to beat Multan Sultans especially with the kind of touch Mohammad Rizwan, Imran Tahir and Sohaib Maqsood are in. In short, Multan must win this game.

Date and Time:

June 16, 2021, 9:30 PM IST

Venue:

Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Likely Winners: Multan Sultans

The team from Multan are the favourites to win this match. They are in fourth place at present and are keen on securing qualification for the playoffs. Though the Quetta Gladiators will want to make a difference to their ambitions, it will not be easy for the team placed at the bottom of the points table.

The game could be a hard-fought one if the side from Quetta shows up. They were really good in the last match and will want to replicate their form. They won the toss and opted to bowl, though the Multan Sultans still hold the advantage. Let’s wait and watch how this game develops now.