TEAM PREVIEW: PESHAWAR ZALMI

Peshawar Zalmi is going to start it’s PSL journey today with most balanced squad of their PSL history.

Peshawar Zalmi is going to start it’s PSL campaign from 21st Feb. Zalmi strength has always been their pace attack with the likes of Wahab Riaz & Hassan Ali who has always given them edge over other teams. Not only their pacers but Liam Dawson contribution with both bat & ball has been phenomenal ever since he has joined Zalmi.

Zalmi has covered relatively weaker middle order department with the inclusion of the experienced Shoaib Malik who will not only perform with the bat in middle to give stability but his off spin bowling and patrolling of boundaries with his fielding in death over will be also helpful.

Umar Amin has also been retained in middle order along with blistering top order including Tom Benton and leading runs scorer of PSL history Kamran Akmal. Both can be nightmare for any given opponent on their day.

Imam Ul Haq consistency and focus at top will play key role in the success of Zalmi in this year PSL 5. He has been excellent last year and team management will be looking forward to see he scores runs for his team.

Kieron Pollard despite fully not been available for Zalmi but Head Coach Mohammad Akram has retained him in the squad in platinum category which confirms his class & ability to perform in all 3 departments. Pollard has been absolutely destructive in last edition of PSL where he single handedly won Zalmi matches.

Death over batting is a concern for Zalmi throughout and hasn’t been sorted out in last editions but this year the inclusion of West Indians all rounder Carlos Brathwaite power hitting ability supplementary pick in absence of Pollard can be turning point as only Carlos Brathwaite can replace Pollard with his bowling and batting an all round option for Zalmi. Daren Sammy will also be crucial to accelerate run rate in death over which is fully capable of doing it.

A wonderful opportunity for emerging players to play under Daren Sammy leadership as Amir Khan has shown glimpse of his skills & ability with the ball in recently conducted U19 world cup. This team combination makes zalmi once again in the hot favorites to lift the title for the 2nd time for Zalmi.