PSL 2018: Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United Match Preview, Team Squad and Analysis

Pakistan Super League

Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United

Date: 13th March 2018

Venue: Sharjah International Cricket Stadium

Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United Match Info

As the PSL moves towards the halfway mark in the 2018 edition, Islamabad United, who have been unbeaten in the tournament thus far would be aiming for their fifth successive win when they take on Multan Sultans on March 13th. The match will be played at the picturesque Sharjah Cricket stadium.

Here’s a complete analysis of both the teams and the marquee players who’ll have a lasting effect on the match:

Multan Sultans:

Captain: Shoaib Malik

After ruling the roost in the initial stages of the tournament, the Multan Sultans have lost three matches on the bounce and Shoaib Malik’s team would be hoping of reviving their fortunes and get their campaign back on track when they take on Islamabad United on March 13th.

Players to watch out for

While senior players like Kumar Sangakkara keep on producing goods at the top of the order, Ahmed Shehzad hasn’t really got going in the tournament and his middling strike-rate of fewer than 100 proceeds to put humongous pressure on the middle-order. While captain Malik would need a few runs himself after recording scores of 3 and 6 in the last two innings, he’d be hoping for the likes of Kieron Pollard to deliver the goods in the must-win encounter.

On the bowling front, Imran Tahir one of the leading wicket-taker in the PSL, while Junaid MKhan might make way for Umar Gul who took six wickets in the soul game he had played in the tournament thus far.

Predicted XI: Shoaib Malik (C), Kumar Sangakkara (WK), Kieron Pollard, Ross Whiteley/Nicholas Pooran, Ahmed Shehzad/Umar Siddiq, Imran Tahir, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan/Umar Gul, Sohaib Maqsood, Saif Badar/Abdullah Shafique, Sohail Tanvir

Islamabad United

Captain: Misbah-ul-Haq

The champions of the inaugural PSL Islamabad United has been on a roll this season, having won four games on a trout.

Players to watch out:

While Misbah’s leadership has been valiant, their overseas recruits in JP Duminy and Luke Ronchi have been in red-hot form throughout the tournament. Asif Ali too had a great last game as he smashed 45 runs off just 24 balls. The team will be able to avail the services of  Sam Billings to beef up their middle-order.

While Islamabad United will bank on their trio of fast bowlers in Raees, Sami, and Finn, they’d be hoping, Samit Patel does an encore of his previous performance that saw him pick four wickets, along with Shaab Khan who continues to bowl economic spells.

Team XI: Luke Ronchi (WK), Alex Hales/Sam Billing,  Asif Ali, Samit Patel, Andre Russell, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Sami, Steven Finn, Misbah-ul-Haq, Samit Patel, Zahar Gohar

Where to watch the live telecast of Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United?

The live telecast of PSL matches can be viewed at Dsport, the official broadcaster for PSL 2018 in India.