Last Updated on 1 year ago by Charbel Coorey

PSL 2021 Eliminator: PES vs KAR Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | PES vs KAR Dream11 Prediction Today | Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

The first official knockout match of PSL 2021 is here, but Karachi Kings had their first knockout match over the weekend. In a match against bottom-placed Quetta, the Kings did enough – albeit unconvincingly at times – to maintain their 100% success rate of qualifying to the PSL playoffs.

However, despite this great record, the Kings have plenty of improvement in them this time around. The UAE leg of PSL 2021 has been a rocky one for the defending champions, losing three in a row at one point to leave them perilously close to elimination. However, two straight wins, as well as Qalandars’ collapse, has given the Kings a chance to successfully defend their crown, and it starts here against Peshawar Zalmi.

And, what about the game Zalmi are coming off? In one of the all-time highest scoring T20s, Zalmi lost to Islamabad United despite scoring 232/6. One of the strengths of Zalmi is their ability to bat deep, and they will be looking to do the same here against a Kings side that can also bat deep, as Danish Aziz showed last game. So, they will need to be effective with the ball, as the Kings, despite their shaky form, still possess a number of gamechangers.

An interesting clash awaits.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Peshawar Zalmi:

• Hazratullah Zazai was player of the match in Zalmi’s recent easy win vs Kings. He smashed 63 off 26 balls.
• Kamran Akmal has scored the most runs in PES-KAR matches (14 inns, 485 runs, avg. 34.64, SR 157.47). However, Akmal has scored just 30 runs in two games vs Kings this season (21 and 9), so Zalmi will be hoping today is his day.
• Shoaib Malik returned to form last game with 68 off 36 balls against Islamabad. Zalmi will be hoping that Malik can improve on his career numbers vs Kings, which reads: 8 inns, 169 runs, avg. 24.14, SR 127.07.
• Sherfane Rutherford is striking at 150.62 this season. In fact, he has the second-most runs of any Zalmi player in PSL 2021 (behind Malik), with 241 runs at 34.42. Also, he scored 46 (32) vs Kings earlier in PSL 2021. Key finisher.
• Wahab Riaz has the most wickets of any Zalmi bowler vs Kings. He has taken 15 wickets in 12 games against them, including 3/34 in the last meeting between the two sides on 15th June, 2021.
• Abrar Ahmed took 3/14 in his last match vs Karachi Kings a week ago.

Karachi Kings:

• Babar Azam was out for a golden duck to Wahab Riaz a week ago. Can he bounce back this time? Babar has a fine record vs Zalmi, with 444 runs at 44.40 (SR 130.21).
• Also, no player has more runs in PSL 2021 than Babar’s 501 (avg. 71.57, SR 134.31). He has been strong in the UAE leg of PSL 2021, with scores of 85*, 81, 0, 54 and 23.
• Sharjeel Khan has made four double-figure scores in a row (25, 25, 13, 45). In eight matches vs Zalmi, Sharjeel has struck 202 runs at 25.25, so signs point to a 25+ score today.
• Martin Guptill has been under-par in PSL 2021 (11, 6, 4, 43, 5). He and Najibullah Zadran (also inconsistent, scores of 11, 71*, 17, 0, 13) have key roles to play in the middle and/or death overs.
• Imad Wasim has the second-most runs vs Zalmi out of the current Karachi squad (155, avg. 22.14, SR 113.14). However, can he improve on his bowling strike rate of five wickets in 11 games against them?
• Danish Azaz is coming off a player-of-the-match performance two days ago. He struck an incredible 13-ball 45 to get Karachi to 176/7 vs Quetta.
• Mohammad Amir has the most wickets in KAR-PES matches (16 scalps in 14 matches).

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 14, Peshawar Zalmi 9, Karachi Kings 5.
• Last 5 matches: PES 3-2 KAR.
• A week ago, Zalmi restricted Kings to 108/9. They chased the target in just 11 overs.
• The winner of this match will play the loser of the Islamabad United-Multan Sultans match. The loser will be eliminated.

Possible Playing 11

Peshawar Zalmi: 1. Hazratullah Zazai, 2. Kamran Akmal (wk), 3. Haider Ali/Imam-ul-Haq, 4. Shoaib Malik, 5. Rovman Powell, 6. Sherfan Rutherford, 7. Wahab Riaz (c), 8. Umaid Asif, 9. Abrar Ahmed, 10. Waqar Salamkheil/Mohammad Imran, 11. Sameen Gul/Mohammad Irfan

Karachi Kings: 1. Sharjeel Khan, 2. Babar Azam (c), 3. Martin Guptill, 4. Najibullah Zadran, 5. Chadwick Walton (wk), 6. Imad Wasim (c), 7. Danish Azaz, 8. Mohammad Ilyas, 9. Arshad Iqbal, 10. Mohammad Amir, 11. Noor Ahmad 

Abu Dhabi Pitch Report and Weather

Peshawar Zalmi smashed 232/6 in their last game and Karachi Kings have hit 170+ twice in a row. There have been low scores at Abu Dhabi, but even on the slow pitch, big scores are possible courtesy of strong finishing. The weather will be warm and steamy in the evening lights.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Peshawar have a fine record vs Kings, and seem to be playing the better cricket of late. Runs on the board will prove critical – anything in the region of 170 will be mighty competitive.