PZ vs IU Match Preview
Zalmi finished in second position in the standings and then lost the PSL Qualifier to the Sultans. They get another chance to reach the final here. Islamabad ended in third position in the points table and then beat the Quetta Gladiators. We're in for an intriguing penultimate fixture in the 2024 PSL.
Babar Azam surely has to be the first name you put in your Dream11 team. He is the leading run-scorer in this PSL season with 544 in 10 innings. That tally includes a century. His last four innings in this tournament have brought four half-tons. Azam is in prolific form.
When selecting your team, consider Luke Wood and Salman Irshad. Wood is Zalmi's leading wicket-taker in the 2024 PSL and one of the best left-armers at the tournament. The England star has taken 11 wickets this tournament. Irshad has been an excellent complement, too.
Your Dream11 team is going to need a couple of solid all-rounders. The first to consider is Shadab Khan. The Islamabad United captain has been doing well with bat and ball. He has taken 10 wickets in 10 matches this PSL season and hit more than 300 runs at an average close to 40.
Conditions in Karachi could suit fast bowlers. Naseem Shah is one of the fastest bowlers in the tournament and has been bowling with good accuracy. His 12 wickets make him United's leading wicket-taker in 2024. Anticipate anotehr big showing from Shah.
New Zealander Martin Guptill could bring plenty of value. He came straight into the United XI recently and hit a match-winning half-century. He is a particularly special pick in the absence of fellow New Zealander Colin Munro. Guptill has plenty of big match temperament.
Weather Report
No rain is forecast in Karachi on matchday. We should get in a full fixture. Hot and humid conditions are anticipated.
Pitch Report
The pitch at the National Stadium in Karachi can be good for batting first. The team to win the toss will likely do this. A first-innings total of around 170-plus should be competititve - perhaps more if a fresh pitch is rotated into play.
Notable stats
Babar Azam vs Islamabad United
Azam hit a century earlier in the 2024 PSL. It was against Islamabad United - his same opposition for this match. The 111 not out came off just 63 balls. It included 14 fours and two sixes.
Team News
United will likely have Guptill at the top of the order again - not Munro. Mehran Mumtaz could keep Arif Yaqoob out of hte Zalmi XI again.
PZ vs IU Probable 11
PZ Playing 11
- Saim Ayub
- Babar Azam (C)
- Mohammad Haris (Wk)
- Haseebullah Khan
- Tom Kohler-Cadmore
- Rovman Powell
- Paul Walter
- Aamer Jamal
- Luke Wood
- Mehran Mumtaz
- Salman Irshad
IU Playing 11
- Martin Guptill
- Alex Hales
- Agha Salman
- Shadab Khan (C)
- Azam Khan (Wk)
- Faheem Ashraf
- Haider Ali
- Imad Wasim
- Naseem Shah
- Hunain Shah
- Obed McCoy
Dream11 Prediction
Peshawar Zalmi are in a better position to win here. Their batting and bowling resources are in slightly stronger form than what Islamabad United have to offer.
Top Picks
Babar Azam: Definitely select the leading run-scorer in the 2024 Pakistan Super League
Naseem Shah: Look no further than the Islamabad United star for an in-form bowling option
Shadab Khan: You should certainly select one of the best all-rounders in this season's PSL
PZ vs IU Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: Azam Khan
Batters: Babar Azam (C), Martin Guptill
All-rounders: Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan (VC), Agha Salman
Bowlers: Aamer Jamal, Imad Wasim, Luke Wood, Naseem Shah, Salman Irshad
