Get ready for the second match of the sixth Pakistan Super League season with The Cricketer's match preview...
What’s the match?
Last season's runners-up Lahore Qalandars take on the 2017 winners in the second game of the 2021 Pakistan Super League.
When is it taking place?
The game is scheduled for 2pm PST (9am GMT) on Sunday, February 21, 2021.
Where is the match being played?
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.
Who’s got the form?
Though this is just the second match of the 2021 competition, the teams squared off as recent as November in Eliminator 1, as the fifth edition came to an end last November.
On that occasion, Qalandars prevailed by five wickets after chasing 171 to win with an over to spare on their way to the final where they were beaten by Karachi Kings
Who to watch?
Rashid Khan was one of the pick-ups of the draft yet will only be available for a handful of matches for Qalandars due to his involvement with Afghanistan in their Test series against Zimbabwe.
Therefore, plenty of onus will be on the legspinner to leave everything out there before departing what is his maiden PSL campaign.
For at least four matches, Qalandars will have a fearsome attack which includes Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf but they will have limited time to make a tangible impact.
It may well be that this contest becomes a battle of the Afghan spinners, with Zalmi having recruited Mujeeb ur Rahman for what will also be his first campaign in the competition.
Mujeeb has not been called up for the Tests but is in line to feature in the T20s, meaning he'll be involved for the entire group phase.
The 19-year-old trails international compatriot Rashid for experience but he sits 16th in the men's T20 Player Index, just 13 places behind him and this month will represent a good opportunity to close the gap.
Any major team news?
The PSL's all-time leading wicket-taker Wahab Riaz is expected to miss Zalmi's opening game after reportedly breaching Covid protocols on Friday (February 19).
He and coach Daren Sammy are understood to have left the bio-secure bubble to meet with team owner Javed Afridi during a practice session
They must now self-isolate for three days and return two negative tests for Covid-19 before being permitted to return to action.
Are fans allowed in?
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.
Who are the umpires?
Shozab Raza and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires)
Zameer Haider (third umpire)
Imran Jawed (fourth umpire)
Iftikhar Ahmed (match referee)
Full PSL umpire appointments - click here
Mujeeb has another chance to showcase his talent
What’s the prediction?
Qalandars are at full strength and won two of the pair's three meetings last term - including that key knockout game - and will feel confident of overcoming a beleaguered Zalmi.
What are the odds?
Qalandars are the marginal favourites with the bookies at 13/17, with Zalmi available at 6/5. The draw is an unlikely 18/1.
PSL TEAM GUIDES
Where can I watch the game?
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.
What are the squads?
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
Peshawar Zalmi: Wahab Riaz, Abrar Ahmed, Kamran Akmal, Haider Ali, Umaid Asif, Ravi Bopara, Amad Butt, Iman-ul-Haq, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Amir Khan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Saqib Mahmood, Shoaib Malik, David Miller, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sherfane Rutherford
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