Get ready for the next game of the PSL 6 season with The Cricketer's match preview...
Last year’s finalists Lahore Qalandars, who are unbeaten in PSL 6, take on a Multan Sultans side still searching for their first points of the season.
The game is scheduled for 3pm PST (10am GMT) on Friday, February 26, 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.
Qalandars are cruising in PSL 6, easily dispensing with Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators in their opening two fixtures. Against Gladiators, they lost just one wicket in pursuit of 178, extending their good form to one defeat (last season’s final) in their last five matches.
Multan, however, are in freefall. Since topping the table in PSL 5, the Punjab-based side have lost four matches in a row and failed to defend 193 against Peshawar on Tuesday (February 23).
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James Vince was the star for Sultans in their six wicket defeat against Peshawar. The England international scored 84 runs off 55 deliveries, including nine fours and three sixes, demonstrating the stellar form which saw him win the Big Bash for Sydney Sixers. A promising sign for Sultans.
Mohammad Rizwan has also started PSL 6 in good touch, scoring 71 (53 balls) and 41 (28) in his first two matches.
For Lahore, opener Fakhar Zaman is growing into the competition after crunching 82 not out from 52 balls against Gladiators. Meanwhile, in Shaheen Shah Afridi, they have the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. The 20-year old struggled with his economy against Quetta but took 3-14 against Peshawar and is always entertaining.
Qalandars have suffered a major departure this week, losing Rashid Khan (ranked third in the T20 Player Index) to international duty after just two matches. Dilbar Hussain (hamstring) remains a doubt while English duo Tom Abell and Joe Denly are still awaiting their debuts.
Multan Sultans are expected to be full strength.
James Vince (L) versus Shaheen Shah Afridi (R) is set to be an exciting battle
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.
Aleem Dar and Faisal Afridi
Shozab Raza (third umpire)
Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire)
Roshan Mahanama (match referee)
Full PSL umpire appointments - click here
Sultans improved dramatically between their first and second matches but their failure to defend 193 is worrying. Qalandars, meanwhile, have breezed through their opening fixtures and should be confident of extending their unbeaten run on Friday.
The bookies are also backing Lahore Qalandars, offering odds of 8/11 for Sohail Akhtar’s side. Sultans, meanwhile, are 11/10 to win.
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.
Lahore Qalandars: Ben Dunk, David Wiese, Dilbar Hussain, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hafeez, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sohail Akhtar, Rashid Khan, Joe Denly, Samit Patel, Tom Abell, Zeeshan Ashraf, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Faizan, Maaz Khan, Zaid Alam, Ahmed Danyal
Multan Sultans: Shahid Afridi, Imran Tahir, James Vince, Khushdil Shah, Rilee Rossouw, Shan Masood, Sohail Tanvir, Usman Qadir, Chris Lynn, Sohail Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Carlos Brathwaite, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohaib Ullah, Adam Lyth, Shahnawaz Dhani, Muhammad Umar, Imran Khan Sr
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