Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United: Preview, prediction and likely lineups for PSL 9 match
Shan Masood-led side will be playing their first match at their home ground
Karachi Kings are all set to take on Islamabad United in Match 15 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 on Wednesday, 28th February. The venue for this crucial encounter is the National Stadium in Karachi.
The Shan Masood-led side will be playing their first match at their home ground and will be aiming to maintain their winning streak.
After a shaky start to their campaign, where they suffered a 55-run defeat against Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings have made a strong comeback. Their subsequent victories over Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars, both achieved through successful chases, have revitalised their season.
Currently occupying the fourth position in the PSL 2024 league standings, the Kings have secured two wins from their three outings. As they gear up to face Islamabad United, the Kings will be eager to extend their winning streak and consolidate their position in the tournament.
On the other hand, Islamabad United's journey in PSL 2024 began impressively with an eight-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars. However, their momentum was derailed by consecutive defeats against Multan Sultans, Quetta Gladiators, and Peshawar Zalmi.
Currently positioned fifth in the points table with a single win and three losses, Islamabad United find themselves at a critical juncture. The team will be determined to reverse their fortunes and rejuvenate their campaign with a strong performance against Karachi Kings.
Pitch Report
As the focus moves from Lahore to Karachi, attention turns to the National Stadium, a venue steeped in a rich history of hosting T20Is.
The statistics lean in favour of teams batting first, with seven out of eleven T20I matches won by the side setting a target. The pitch at the National Stadium is well-known for its conditions conducive to batting, providing a consistent pace for the batters, as evidenced by the average first-innings score of 190. Given these conditions, the captain winning the toss is likely to opt to bat first to capitalise on the fresh pitch and aim for a substantial total.
Probable Playing XIs
Karachi Kings: Shan Masood (c), Muhammad Akhlaq (wk), James Vince, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Mohammad Nawaz, Irfan Khan, Daniel Sams, Hasan Ali, Tabraiz Shamsi, Mir Hamza
Islamabad United: Jordan Cox, Colin Munro, Shadab Khan (c), Agha Salman, Azam Khan (wk), Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Tymal Mills, Hunain Shah
Prediction
Considering their impressive turnaround after the defeat in the first match, Karachi Kings are firmly positioned as favourites to win the encounter against Islamabad United.
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