Pakistan Super League 2023: The eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to begin on Monday, with Multan Sultans taking on defending champions Lahore Qalandars. ESPNcricinfo will be providing in-depth analysis and coverage of each team leading up to the start of the tournament, starting with a look at two teams, Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi.
Karachi Kings, captained by Imad Wasim and coached by Johan Botha, finished last season in a disappointing sixth place. The team had a historic poor performance, winning just one out of ten matches, as a result of various factors including an injury to Mohammad Amir, limited spin options, and a lack of batting firepower. However, this season brings a new hope for the Kings as they made significant changes to their roster.
One notable change is the departure of Babar Azam, who was traded to Zalmi and is the highest run-scorer in PSL history. Although Babar’s absence may seem like a setback, it also allows Kings to experiment with a new opening lineup, with James Vince and Sharjeel Khan expected to take the lead. The middle order will also be watched closely, with Haider Ali and Ben Cutting hoping to regain their PSL form.
Kings also made several key acquisitions during the off-season, including Matthew Wade, Imran Tahir, and Andrew Tye, but the partial unavailability of Tabraiz Shamsi is a concern for the team’s spin options.
Middle-order bat Tayyab Tahir will also be a player to watch, following a strong performance in the One Day Cup and National T20 Cup, where he was named Player of the Match in the former tournament.
It’s worth noting that Kings have the oldest roster in the league, with five players over the age of 35, including the 43-year-old Imran Tahir, who will be relied upon to carry the spin-bowling load. Whether or not he will be able to handle the pressure will be a crucial factor in determining Kings’ success this season.
On the other hand, Peshawar Zalmi, captained by Babar Azam and coached by Daren Sammy, struggled in the early part of last season, but managed to secure a playoff spot with a late-season surge.
This year, Zalmi have a strong roster, including Babar Azam, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, and Wahab Riaz. Zalmi also made several noteworthy acquisitions, including Jimmy Neesham, Haris Sohail, and Usman Qadir.
Zalmi will be looking to build on last season’s success and make a deep playoff run, with Babar Azam leading the way as captain and with Kamran Akmal as the batting consultant. The team has a solid mix of experienced players and up-and-comers, making them a force to be reckoned with.
In conclusion, both Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi have their strengths and weaknesses heading into the start of the PSL. Kings will be relying on their new acquisitions and young talent to make up for the loss of Babar Azam, while Zalmi will be hoping to continue their late-season success from last year and make a deep playoff run. Regardless of the outcome, fans can expect a thrilling tournament full of excitement, drama, and high-quality cricket.
PSL | Pakistan Super League
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in Pakistan, held annually since 2016. The league is organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and features some of the best cricketers from Pakistan and around the world. The tournament is widely popular and is one of the most watched T20 leagues in the world.
The schedule for the PSL usually takes place over a period of several weeks, with matches held at various venues across Pakistan. This year’s tournament is expected to feature six teams, including Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators.
