Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators Preview. PZ vs QG Preview Match Prediction. PSL 2019 Qualifier

The business end of PSL 2019 is here. The top two sides take each other on in Karachi for a spot in the Final. It is fantastic to see cricket in Pakistan, and an excellent opportunity awaits to get key rest and preparation time ahead of the tournament’s showpiece match this weekend.

Peshawar Zalmi have been the tournament’s most consistent side. A top placed finish is testament to the talent in their team, and can take a significant step towards a second PSL Title. However, out of their three losses this season, two have come up against today’s opponents. Will it be third time lucky for team Zalmi?

Quetta Gladiators, runners up more than anyone else in PSL history, will be hoping for their own third time lucky. They haven’t been as dominant in games as Zalmi have been, but they have still been consistent to earn a crucial qualifier spot. Their first placed opponents shouldn’t scare them as they have beaten them twice this season. However, can they put on a big performance with more at stake?

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Key to a Peshawar Zalmi win

PZ have had an excellent balance between bat and ball in this tournament. Hasan Ali has had a superb PSL 2019 campaign, taking more than two wickets a game. He will be crucial against the likes of Shane Watson. Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal in the QG side, of which a strong powerplay with the ball can set up the match. Wahab Riaz, who has generally maintained a good economy rate, sits fifth in the top wicket takers list, and will also be key. Can PZ’s seam attack run the show?

With the bat, PZ only have one player in the top ten run scorers. That they finished first is testament to their bowling, as well as the ability for certain batsmen to step up when required. Kamran Akmal and Imam-ul-Haq, two players with good scores in the last game, must provide a strong start. If PZ have the shaky start they did against Lahore Qalandars, it could be fatal. Can the likes of Darren Sammy, Sohaib Maqsood and Keiron Pollard then build on a good start to deliver a strong total?

Key to a Quetta Gladiators win

Shane Watson has had an outstanding tournament, topping the run-scoring chart. He was superb in QG’s win over PZ last week, and will be crucial against the PZ attack. Similar applies to Ahmed Shehzad, who is coming off a brilliant 99 in a losing cause vs Karachi Kings. With Umar Akmal, Rilee Rossouw and Dwayne Bravo to follow in the middle order, QG have the resources to mount a big total. Indeed, the shaky form of the middle-lower renders the top order’s contribution crucial.

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Also, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Nawaz and Fawad Ahmed have been three of QG’s more consistent performers with the ball. However, QG need to bounce back from conceding 190 against Karachi Kings. They have an opportunity to get into the PZ batting lineup with the wickets of Kamran Akmal and Imam-ul-Haq, forcing the big-hitting middle order of PZ to rebuild. Can Dwayne Bravo come on to bowl with a platform set to execute his skills in a pressure situation for PZ?

Possible Playing 11

Peshawar Zalmi: 1. Kamran Akmal (wk), 2. Imam-ul-Haq, 3. Umar Amin, 4. Misbah-ul-Haq, 5. Liam Dawson, 6. Keiron Pollard, 7. Darren Sammy (c), 8. Wahab Riaz, 9. Hasan Ali, 10. Tymal Mills, 11. Sameen Gul

Quetta Gladiators: 1. Shane Watson, 2. Ahmed Shahzad, 3. Rilee Rossouw, 4. Umar Akmal, 5. Dwayne Bravo, 6. Anwar Ali, 7. Sarafraz Ahmed (c & wk), 8. Mohammad Nawaz, 9. Sohail Tanvir, 10. Mohammad Hasnain, 11. Fawad Ahmed

Stats and Facts

• Both these sides contested the PSL 2017 Final. PZ won, handing QG their second straight loss in a PSL Final.
• Shane Watson tops the PSL 2019 run-scoring chart with 352 runs at 44.00, with a SR of 140.80. Hasan Ali of PZ tops the wicket-taking chart with 21.
• QG have beaten PZ twice this season.

Match Prediction

Karachi will play host to what will be a good game of cricket. Two sides who have constantly been thereabouts at the business end of PSL tournaments have a great chance to reach the final.

With Quetta Gladiators possessing a little more depth with the bat, I will pick them to win and go through to the final.

Thanks for reading!

Read: How to swing a cricket ball and take more wickets

Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators Preview. PZ vs QG Preview Match Prediction. PSL 2019 Qualifier