In the 23rd game of the 2023 Pakistan Super League season, Lahore Qalandars will be up against Peshawar Zalmi at the Rawalpindi ground. Lahore Qalandars come into this match on a 5-match winning streak, including a win over Peshawar Zalmi in a previous match played at Lahore. While there are no T20 internationals played at this venue, the pitch seems to be a good batting surface based on earlier PSL games played here.
On the other hand, Peshawar Zalmi is in the 4th position in the points table and will be eager to climb up the standings with a win over the table toppers. With four matches left in the league stages, there is a good chance for Peshawar to finish in the number 2 position.
Lahore Qalandars’ victories have all come when they batted first in their league matches. However, Peshawar Zalmi struggled in the competition and lost to Lahore Qalandars in a match where they were asked to chase a huge target of 242 runs. But they bounced back with a win over Karachi Kings in their last match at the Rawalpindi ground.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore was in fine form with the bat, scoring his second fifty in a row in the middle order for Peshawar Zalmi. They managed to post a huge total of 197 runs while batting first in their last match, and managed to defend it against the Karachi Kings. Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi both have strong batting orders and have high-quality finishers in their ranks. While Lahore Qalandars have been in excellent form, it is expected to be a close game between the two sides.
PESHAWAR ZALMI
Introduction:
The upcoming match between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi promises to be a close encounter. Lahore has been on a winning streak with five consecutive victories, while Peshawar has had an up-and-down tournament so far.
Team Analysis:
Peshawar Zalmi’s top order has been struggling, with their main batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Haris failing to score consistently. However, the middle and lower order have been providing vital contributions, as seen in the previous match where Kohler-Cadmore, Powell, and Haseebullah Khan came to the team’s rescue.
The Peshawar bowling attack has been a concern, especially with the likes of Wahab Riaz not being in the best of form. The skipper, Babar Azam, will be hoping for a better performance from the opening ball bowlers, Arshad Iqbal and Wahab Riaz.
Recent Form:
Peshawar Zalmi is currently in the fourth position on the points table, and a win against the table-toppers Lahore Qalandars will help them improve their position. They are going into this game with a win under their belt, having defeated the Karachi Kings in their previous match.
Conclusion:
Although Lahore Qalandars has been on a winning streak, Peshawar Zalmi has the potential to cause an upset if their batsmen deliver and the bowlers stick to their task. The previous encounter between the two teams was won by Lahore Qalandars, and Peshawar will be looking to turn the tables this time around.
LAHORE QALANDARS
Introduction:
The upcoming match between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League is expected to be a closely contested one. Lahore Qalandars have been on a roll in the tournament, while Peshawar Zalmi will be looking to turn things around and gain momentum.
Team Analysis:
Lahore Qalandars have a world-class bowling attack led by Shaheen Afridi and Rashid Khan. However, their top-order batting has been a cause for concern in recent games, with Fakhar Zaman expected to turn things around. The team has several match-winners, including all-rounder Sikandar Raza and finisher Hussain Talat.
On the other hand, Peshawar Zalmi has struggled with their top-order batting, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Haris failing to score consistently. However, the lower middle-order has come to their rescue on several occasions, with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, and Haseebullah Khan performing well in the last game.
Recent Form:
Lahore Qalandars are on a 5-match winning streak in the tournament and have already beaten Peshawar Zalmi in an earlier game. Peshawar Zalmi, on the other hand, has had a mixed run in the competition, with a win and a loss in their last two games.
Conclusion:
While Peshawar Zalmi will be hoping to cause an upset, Lahore Qalandars have a strong bowling attack and several match-winners in their batting line-up. It is expected to be a closely contested game, but Lahore Qalandars are the favorites to win this encounter.
TOSS PREDICTION
Given that the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has not hosted any PSL or T20 international games prior to this season, it is difficult to make a confident toss prediction. However, based on recent matches played at this ground, it appears that there is not much of a home advantage for either team. In one match, the ISU team chased down a massive total of 204 runs against the Peshawar Zalmi side, while the Lahore Qalandars have been doing an excellent job of setting a target and defending it successfully. As such, they can rely on their bowlers to restrict the opposition’s batting in the second innings. On the other hand, the Peshawar side may face a tough challenge against Lahore’s formidable bowling attack if they choose to chase on this track. Hence, we predict that the team winning the toss will opt to bat first at Rawalpindi.
PITCH AND CONDITIONS
Introduction:
The Pindi Club Ground in Rawalpindi will host the upcoming cricket match, and it has already hosted a couple of games in the ongoing PSL season.
Weather:
The weather forecast for the matchday is bright and sunny with temperatures hovering around 29 degrees Celsius. This suggests that there will be no interruptions due to rain.
Pitch Analysis:
The pitch at the Pindi Club Ground has been excellent for batting, with an average first innings total of 199 runs. Batsmen will enjoy playing on this track as there is a lot of help on offer from the surface. The finishers from both sides will relish batting on this wicket.
Conclusion:
Considering the favorable weather conditions and the excellent batting surface, we can expect a high-scoring encounter at the Pindi Club Ground in Rawalpindi.
PZ VS LQ BETTING TIPS
Both teams have struggled with their batting lineups in the tournament, but Peshawar Zalmi will be buoyed by their middle order’s performance in their last game. However, the difference between the two teams lies in their bowling attacks. Lahore Qalandars boast a world-class bowling unit led by the in-form Shaheen Afridi, with Rashid Khan and Haris Rauf providing excellent support. This puts Lahore ahead of Peshawar in terms of firepower and capability of making life difficult for their opponents on a batting-friendly track like the one in Rawalpindi.
Moreover, Lahore has consistently shown their ability to defend targets successfully, which is a major advantage in this game. Peshawar, on the other hand, will have to rely heavily on their middle order to deliver once again and put up a competitive total. However, facing Lahore’s formidable bowling attack will be a tough task for them. Hence, considering the current form and balance of both teams, Lahore Qalandars are the clear favorites to win this game and further strengthen their position at the top of the points table.