Get ready for the next game of the PSL 6 season with The Cricketer's match preview...
Reigning champions Karachi Kings take on the tournament’s only two-time winners, Islamabad United.
The game is scheduled for 7pm PST (2pm GMT) on Wednesday, February 24, 2021.
This game will take place in the national stadium in Karachi, where all PSL 6 matches are being staged until March 7. At that point, the tournament moves to Lahore.
This is due to Covid-19 protocols being implemented by tournament organisers.
Kings got their title defence off to a clinical start against Quetta Gladiators. After bowling their opponents out for 121, Kings sealed victory inside 14 overs for the loss of just three wickets. The 2020 champions are the competition’s form side, winning five of their last six PSL matches.
Islamabad United also started PSL 6 with a win, recovering from 74/6 to successfully chase 150 and defeat Multan Sultans by three wickets.
There’s talent everywhere in the Karachi line-up, with Babar Azam, Dan Christian and Colin Ingram all donning blue and red this season. However, it was Joe Clarke who stood out in their opening fixture. The 24-year old wicketkeeper was explosive at number three, crashing 46 runs off 23 balls at a strike rate of 200 against Quetta.
Likewise, Mohammad Nabi, ranked 7th in the T20 Player Index, got his tournament off to a strong start with 30 runs off 14 deliveries.
For Islamabad United, Alex Hales is the headline name. The England international was bowled out for 29 (20 balls) against Sultans but after setting a new BBL record for most sixes in a single season (30), it shouldn’t be long before he starts raining boundaries.
Fellow Englishman Lewis Gregory was United’s best player against Sultans. Fresh from his own impressive Big Bash stint, the 28-year old took two wickets and top-scored with 49 not out off 31 balls.
Both teams are expected to be full strength for Wednesday’s clash.
Yes, PSL 6 matches are operating at 20 per cent capacity in 2021, with stringent Covid-19 precautionary measures in place. Fans will have to wear a mask in the stands, and groups may only consist of members of one household, for example.
Ahsan Raza and Rashid Riaz
Shozab Raza (third umpire)
Imran Jawed (fourth umpire)
Ali Naqvi (match referee)
Full PSL umpire appointments - click here
A 6 to win the first match in #HBLPSL6!@MohammadNabi007 wins it with a maximum!#HBLPSL6 | #MatchDikhao | #KKvQG pic.twitter.com/fQAizdLCpA
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 20, 2021
Karachi Kings barely broke a sweat against Quetta Gladiators and with the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Nabi and Dan Christian in their arsenal, it’s hard to see Islamabad getting the better of them.
The bookies are backing Karachi Kings to win, offering odds of 8/13. Islamabad are available at 5/4.
PSL TEAM GUIDES
Sky Sports will broadcast the tournament in the UK.
In Pakistan, the competition will be available on PTV Sports.
Sony Pictures Network have the rights in India.
Sony Pictures Network will also provide coverage throughout South Asia, including Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Sky Sport will televise the tournament in New Zealand while SuperSport hold the rights in South Africa and the sub-Saharan region.
Willow TV have all the action for viewers in the United States and Canada. In the Caribbean, PSL 6 will be available on Flow Sports.
Streaming service Tapmad TV have the rights in Australia, MENA (Middle East and North Africa) and the rest of the world with coverage available online and via the app.
Karachi Kings: Amir Yamin, Arshad Iqbal, Babar Azam, Colin Ingram, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Sharjeel Khan, Waqas Maqsood, Mohammad Nabi, Dan Christian, Chadwick Walton, Joe Clarke, Noor Ahmad, Danish Aziz, Mohammad Ilyas, Zeeshan Malik, Qasim Akram
Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Asif Ali, Fawad Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Zafar Gohar, Hassan Ali, Paul Stirling, Lewis Gregory, Phil Salt, Rohail Nazir, Ali Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Ahmed Saifi Abdullah, Zeeshan Zameer