PSL 2021, Match 2: Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi - Match Preview And Prediction

In the second game of the PSL 2021, Lahore Qalandars will take on Peshawar Zalmi at National Stadium (Karachi) on Sunday (21st February) afternoon. Both teams will play their opening match of this season during this upcoming PSL 2021 encounter.

In the PSL 2020, Lahore Qalandars finished as the runners-up after reaching the PSL final for the first time. On the other hand, the PSL 2017 winners Peshawar Zalmi were the fourth best side in the PSL 2020.

Lahore Qalandars

Lahore Qalandars ended their continuous struggling period in the PSL 2020 where they first time qualified for the playoffs and reached the final of that tournament. But ultimately finished as the runners-up as Karachi Kings won that crown by winning the final by 5 wickets.

Captain Sohail Akhtar is ready to continue their good momentum in this PSL 2021. Mohammad Hafeez was in great form with the bat in the last calendar year, and Lahore Qalandars will hope to see him in the same top-class form in this new PSL season. They also have the batsmen like Fakhar Zaman and Australian wicket-keeper batsman Ben Dunk.

Lahore Qalandars have the top quality bowlers like the left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf and Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan. Shaheen won the PSL 2020 Maroon Cap after finishing as the leading wicket-taker in that tournament. However, Rashid Khan will be available for the first two games of this team as he has the national team commitment.

Lahore Qalandars also have the all-rounders like David Wiese and Samit Patel. So, there is no doubt that they are one of the most exciting teams for the PSL 2021.

Full Squad

Ahmed Danyal, Ben Dunk, David Wiese, Dilbar Hussain, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Maaz Khan, Mohammad Faizan, Mohammad Hafeez, Joe Denly, Rashid Khan, Samit Patel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sohail Akhtar, Tom Abell, Salman Ali Agha, Zaid Alam, Zeeshan Ashraf

Peshawar Zalmi

The PSL 2017 winners Peshawar Zalmi ended their three seasons PSL final streaks in the PSL 2020 after finishing as the fourth best team in that season. Only Zalmi and Karachi Kings have qualified for the playoffs in each season of the PSL.

But before their opening game of the PSL 2021, Peshawar Zalmi have got a huge blow as their captain Wahab Riaz will be unavailable at least for their first game of this season. According to media reports, Riaz and Head Coach Daren Sammy have been isolated after breaching coronavirus protocols. So, Shoaib Malik or Kamran Akmal can take the leadership role in their tournament opener of this new season. Both are the crucial names in their batting line-up.

Experienced England cricketer Ravi Bopara is another crucial name of this side. Young Afghanistan off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman is a big hope of their bowling side along with their captain Wahab Riaz.

Peshawar Zalmi will miss England cricketer Liam Livingstone, who is now unavailable due to his national team call-up. The 26-year-old England cricketer Tom-Kohler Cadmore has replaced Livingstone in this squad. Also, South African cricketer David Miller will miss the first game as he will join the squad soon after ending his activity in the domestic competition. The 19-year-old Afghanistan left-arm spinner Waqar Salamkheil has been added in the side as the partial replacement of Miller.

Full Squad

Abrar Ahmed, Amad Butt, Waqar Salamkheil (partial replacement of David Miller), Haider Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Tom-Kohler Cadmore, Mohammad Amir Khan, Mohammad Irfan Snr, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Ravi Bopara, Saqib Mahmood, Sherfane Rutherford, Shoaib Malik, Umaid Asif, Wahab Riaz (unavailable for the first game)

PSL 2021, Match 2: Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi – Match Prediction

In their head-to-head contest, Peshawar Zalmi have enjoyed eight victories while Lahore Qalandars have managed only three wins. However, Qalandars are currently enjoying the two-match winning streak against Zalmi while they also led the head-to-head contest in the complete last season by the 2-1 margin.

Currently, Lahore Qalandars squad is very attractive. So, they can be favourite for this upcoming match. However, the forthcoming game will be the first match for both these teams in the PSL 2021, where both teams are dreaming to make the best start in this new season.