Quetta Gladiators (QUE) will take on Karachi Kings (KAR) in the 30th match of the Pakistan Super League 2021 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, June 19, in the bottom of the table clash.
Karachi Kings sit fifth in the PSL points table after winning four of the nine league matches. Bottom dwellers Quetta Gladiators, on the other hand, could only win twice in their nine matches and are out of playoff contention.
Karachi are tied on eight points with fourth-placed Multan Sultans but their inferior net run rate of -0.212 means they sit below the Sultans, whose NRR is 0.836. Hence, Karachi Kings would eye a comprehensive win over Quetta to bolster their PSL playoff contention in their last league match of the season.
QUE vs KAR Dream11 prediction
While Karachi Kings come to this fixture with more points in the table, both the teams have managed to register just two wins in their last five PSL matches.
However, Quetta's massive 110-run defeat against Multan in their previous match must have inflicted a psychological blow to Sarfaraz Ahmed's side, something that Karachi must capitalise on.
Karachi have also beaten Quetta Gladiators thrice in their last five encounters and their seven-run win against Lahore in the last match will keep them in good stead ahead of this crucial fixture, where a win would bring them closer to the PSL 2021 playoffs.
QUE vs KAR best players for PSL 2021 fantasy team
Top tip: Best batsmen
Opener Babar Azam's 54-run knock was crucial in Karachi Kings' seven-run win over Lahore Qalandars last game. The Pakistan batsman has had a great start in 2021 drawing comparisons with Virat Kohli for his knocks in South Africa. Azam's last five PSL innings read 54, 0, 81, 85 and 2, which makes him one of the top picks for any fantasy team owner.
If there has been one batsman from the Quetta Gladiators camp who hasn't seen a drop in form, it is Jake Weatherald. The Australian hard-hitter has been scoring regardless of the continuous shuffle in his batting position at the top order, and he is expected to end PSL 2021 on a high. Weatherald has 192 fantasy points so far.
Top tip: Best bowlers
While most Quetta bowlers did a shallow job in stopping Multan in their last match, Khurram Shahzad stood tall from one end, returning with figures of 2/26. Shahzad has six wickets in his last five matches, garnering 216 fantasy points so far. He would want to end this season on a high.
Karachi Kings bowler Noor Ahmad was in tremendous form in the last game where he returned with figures of 2/19 in his four overs. Only 16, Ahmad needed time to get into a groove in PSL but has now seemingly gotten a hang of it. He could be an exciting pick.
Top tip: All-rounder and wicket-keeper
Karachi Kings’ captain Imad Wasim has been a responsible figure on the field since the tournament shifted to UAE this month. In the last two matches, Wasim has tallied 49 runs and taken three wickets for his side. His all-round performances will come in handy in any fantasy cricket team.
Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed might have endured an underwhelming PSL 2021, but his consistency in the middle order has been one of the few positives of his team. Apart from his runs, Ahmed has one of the safest pairs of hands behind the stumps. He has the third most dismissals (39) as a wicket-keeper in PSL after Kamran Akmal (54) and Mohammad Rizwan (41) and will be the best wicket-keeping pick for the QUE vs KAR fixture.
QUE vs KAR probable playing XI
Quetta gladiators playing XI (probable): Usman Khan, Saim Ayub, Jake Weatherald, Cameron Delport, Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain and wicket-keeper), Azam Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Khurram Shahzad, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Hasnain, Zahir Khan
Karachi Kings playing XI (probable): Sharjeel Khan, Martin Guptill, Babar Azam (captain), Chadwick Walton (wicket-keeper), Danish Aziz, Thisara Perera, Najeebullah Zadran, Mohd Amir, Arshad Iqbal, Amir Yamin, Noor Ahmad
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Featured Image: AFP/ Asif Hassan
