Islamabad United opt to bowl first against Peshawar Zalmi

Shadab Khan-led Islamabad United Thursday won the toss and invited Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi to bat in the first eliminator of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The match is crucial for both sides as the winning side will jump to the second eliminator, which is set to take place tomorrow at the same venue. The losing side will be out of the tournament.

In yesterday’s Qualifier, Multan Sultans defeated Lahore Qalandars to book their spot in the final scheduled for March 19. However, the defending champions will get another chance to qualify for the final in the second Eliminator.

The match is being played under overcast conditions with light drizzle forced 10 minutes delay in the toss.

A light rain is also expected during the match with teams have to keep an eye on DLS method to stay ahead.

Both teams have some explosive batters who are firing on all cylinders but perhaps don't have the kind of artillery to rip through a batting line-up.

So far both United and Zalmi have won one match each during their clashes against each other in the league stage.

Peshawar Zalmi emerged on top in their last meeting in Rawalpindi and before that Islamabad United won by six wickets in Karachi.

Faheem Ashraf has racked up 210 runs in the last 10 games and has been striking the ball at 147.88. On the other hand, Babar Azam has amassed 416 runs in PSL 8, averaged 52 and his highest score was 115.

Zalmi overpowered United in their last faceoff in Rawalpindi as Mohammad Haris shepherded his side to a 13-win with an incredible 79-run knock.

Squads

Peshawar Zalmi: Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Jimmy Neesham, Aamir Jamal, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Wahab Riaz, Salman Irshad

Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sohaib Maqsood, Colin Munro, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mubasir Khan, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Waseem Jr, Fazalhaq Farooqi