Thanks to their proximity to cricketers and cricket teams, most sports journalists have insight the laymen can only dream of. 

With that in mind, Geo Super approached six of the top names in the game to find out what their predictions for the sixth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) are. 

Here is what they had to say:

Saleem Khaliq - Sports Editor Roznama Express

1- Who do you want to win?

As a journalist, it is not appropriate for me to support a single team, but as a cricket fan, I want Quetta Gladiators to win the title.

2- Who do you think will win?

We can't say yet who will win, although once again last year's finalists Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars can be expected to play well.

3- Who do you think will definitely not win?

Why do you want me to get into fights? Well, no team is weak enough that we can already rule them out of title race.

4- Name one little-known player that can become a household name by the end of PSL 2021?

Shahnawaz Dhani of Multan Sultans was seen as a talented bowler in domestic cricket. He can be successful if given opportunities.

5- Name one superstar who might struggle to live up to expectations.

Dale Steyn is past his prime so he may not be that successful.

6- Make a random prediction.

Quetta Gladiators (heart)

Karachi Kings (brain)

Aaliya Rasheed - cricket analyst

1- Who do you want to win?

At a personal level, Lahore Qalandars because first, they are my family. 

Secondly, the way they work hard throughout the year to delveop young players, they deserve to win. Their combinations look good this year and the confidence of finishing as runners-up last year would psychologically help them. Inclusion of Rashid Khan would be a huge edge for them.

2- Who do you think will win?

In my opinion, Karachi Kings can lift the trophy again as all their bases are covered. They have the most stable opening pair to go with a dependable middle-order featuring the likes of Colin Ingram, Chadwick Walton, in-form Joe Clark and experienced Danial Christian, with the dynamic Danish Aziz to follow.

Karachi have a very handy lower-order, too, in the shape of Amir Yamin, who can bowl the new ball and is a proper batsman, too. 

Mohammad Nabi and Imad Wasim can hit big and bowl big. Fast bowling department is very good as well, thanks to Mohammad Amir, Waqas Maqsood and young Arshad Iqbal.

3- Who do you think will definitely not win?

I think Quetta Gladiator could struggle.

4- Name one little-known player that can become a household name by the end of PSL 2021.

Qasim Akram from Karachi can surprise with his all-round ability. He is a very promising lower-order batsman wo can also hit big. He is a very good off-spinner as well which gives a balance to any T20 side.

5- Name one superstar who might struggle to live up to expectations.

Tom Banton is among one of the top T20 batsman in league cricket. He may struggle here in Pakistan due to slow pitches. He is one of those batsmen that like pace on the ball and quicker wickets. He also struggled last time while playing for Peshawar Zalmi so that factor may work against him again.

6- Make a random prediction

i) Rashid Khan could get the most wickets, if he is available for the entire tournament.

ii) Mohammad Rizwan, due to his sublime form and natural leadership, could lift the trophy.

Faizan Lakhani - Geo News

1- Who do you want to win?

Usually a journalist shouldn’t be a fan of any team but in PSL Lahore Qalandars are my love. Having seen their player development program and its success so closely, I feel that Lahore deserve to win PSL. They were so close last year. Let's hope they don’t fall short this time.

2- Who do you think will win?

Seeing teams' post draft, all the squads look balanced but I think Quetta looks a strong team on paper. Also, the Qalandars have retained their match winners so these two teams are strong contenders.

3- Who do you think will definitely not win?

Difficult question as you can’t give a premature verdict in T20 cricket but I think Islamabad United are going to struggle.

4- Name one little-known player that can become a household name by the end of PSL 2021.

PSL has always produced good talent and this year the emerging star to watch out could be Shahnawaz Dhani (Multan) and Ahmed Daniyal (Lahore).

5- Name one superstar who might struggle to live up to expectations.

Mohammad Amir

6- Make a random prediction.

Qalandars vs Gladiators in the final.

Abdul Ghaffar - Dawn News

1- Who do you want to win?

As a Peshawar-born, I've always supported Zalmi

2- Who do you think will win?

T20 is a very difficult format to predict, especially after the Lahore vs Karachi final. *chuckles* 

On a serious note though, I rate Zalmi because of their good track record and solid local batting line-up that boasts Kamran Akmal, Imam-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik and Haider Ali. Lahore, too, have a chances because of their solid bowlers such as Haris Rauf, Rashid Khan and Shaheen Afridi.

3- Who do you think will definitely not win?

That's a tough thing to say but Islamabad United. 

4- Name one little-known player that can become a household name by the end of PSL 2021.

Muhammad Imran, who is a left-arm fast bowler from Peshawar Zalmi.

5- Name one superstar who might struggle to live up to expectations.

Who else than Chris Gayle?

6- Make a random prediction.

Zalmi vs Karachi Final

Ahmed Khawaja - Change Of Pace

1- Who do you want to win?

Being a hardcore and a very jazbaati Lahori, there can only be one option. The Qalandars all the way.

2- Who do you think will win?

I absolutely hate to admit it but Karachi Kings are looking very solid and may just win the title again. They have the squad depth, experience and a champion in Wasim Akram on their side.

3- Who do you think will definitely not win?

Any side that has a weak fast bowling unit so Multan or Quetta are going to the flop of this PSL in my estimation.

4- Name one little-known player that can become a household name by the end of PSL 2021.

Can I name five? There are so many exciting young players to keep an eye on! Seriously though, Danish Aziz of Karachi Kings, I feel, is going to be the breakout star of this PSL. He's a hard-hitting batting all-rounder with an ice-cool temperament and thrives as a finisher. He is just the kind of player that Pakistan desperately needs.

5- Name one superstar who might struggle to live up to expectations.

This is a tricky one. I think Dale Steyn's best days are behind him and he will struggle to have a big impact for QG as part of an already vulnerable bowling line-up.

6- Make a random prediction.

I am a huge fan of this young buck so let me go all out and boldly state that Haider Ali will become the third Pakistani after Sharjeel Khan and Kamran Akmal to make a hundred in PSL.

Roha Nadeem - Cricingif

1- Who do you want to win?

Well, as a journalist, I have to remain objective and impartial but as a fan I’d always be secretly rooting for my home team, Lahore Qalandars.

2- Who do you think will win?

All teams have at least a couple of fantastic, in-form match-winners so it is hard to say, but with Hasan Ali’s inclusion I feel Islamabad United look solid. So do Multan and Karachi with their recent streak. 

Lahore might surprise us again this year with Rashid Khan coming in and Hafeez’s recent form. I’ll go ahead and pick Lahore for this question too.

3- Who will definitely not win?

Quetta Gladiators. It's just a gut feeling.

4- Name one little-known player that can become a household name by the end of PSL 2021.

Haider Ali (fingers crossed)

5- Name one superstar who might struggle to live up to expectations.

I think Shoaib Malik.

6- Make a random prediction.

Someone will break the bio-secure bubble.

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