PSL 2022 match preview: Islamabad United v Multan Sultans

Key match-ups, squad lists, head-to-head record, weather forecast, prediction, odds, form guide and more ahead of the next game of the 2022 Pakistan Super League season

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What's the match?

Islamabad United take on Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League.

When is it taking place?

The game is set for Tuesday, February 1. The first ball will be bowled at 7:30pm local time (2:30pm GMT).

Where is the match being played?

The game will be held at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Who's got the form?

Multan Sultans have made a perfect start to the defence of their title, winning all three of their opening games.

After dispatching Karachi Kings in the opening match of the tournament by seven wickets, they completed a thrilling run-chase against Lahore Qalandars.

They maintained that record with a remarkable victory over Quetta Gladiators, defending 175 thanks to David Willey taking two wickets from the final over to complete a six-run win.

While Sultans are gearing up for their fourth group match, Islamabad United have only played once, beating Peshawar Zalmi by nine wickets.

Zalmi were limited to 168 for 8, and thanks to Alex Hales' unbeaten 82 hit their target with more than four overs remaining.

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Rahmanullah Gurbaz [Getty Images]

What's the key match-up?

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has enjoyed a fabulous last few months in franchise and international cricket and has the chance to further enhance his reputation in this season's PSL.

He was signed up by Multan Sultans for last season's UAE-leg of the competition but only featured in a single game.

More opportunities will surely come this term after a thrilling performance in the T10 League - he was named batter of the tournament thanks to a strike-rate 214.37 - and backed up that display at the Lanka Premier League for eventual champions Jaffna Kings.

In what was an easy win for United on his debut for the team, he struck an unbeaten 27 against Zalmi but will be hoping for a more central role this time around.

Familiar face Imran Tahir will get another chance to subdue the Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter, having dismissed in twice in three recent clashes between the two.

The former South Africa spinner got rid of Gurbaz for just three in the LPL and again when on 30 in the T10 League.

But Gurbaz got the better of their third encounter, cracking a 32-ball 70 which included 13 off the six deliveries he faced from Tahir.

Head-to-head record 

Matches played: 9

Islamabad United wins: 5

Multan Sultans wins: 4

What's the weather forecast?

Another clear day in Karachi will see temperatures of around 23 degrees Celsius for the start of play.

What are the squads?

Islamabad United: Asif Ali, Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Alex Hales, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Azam Khan, Paul Stirling, Colin Munro, Marchant de Lange, Muhammad Akhlaq, Reece Topley, Danish Aziz, Zafar Gohar, Mubasir Khan, M. Zeeshan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ather Mehmood

Supplementary draft: Musa Khan, Zahir Khan

Partial replacement: Mohammad Huraira

Multan SultansMohammad Rizwan, Rilee Rossouw, Sohaib Maqsood, Imran Tahir, Shan Masood, Khushdil Shah, Shahnawaz Dhani, Tim David, Odean Smith, Rumman Raees, Asif Afridi, Anwar Ali, Rovman Powell, Imran Khan Sr., Abbas Afridi, Amir Azmat, Blessing Muzarabani, Ihsanullah

Supplementary round: David Willey, Rizwan Hussain

Partial replacements: Johnson Charles, Dominic Drakes

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Imran Tahir [Asif Hassan/AFP via Getty Images]

What are the possible starting XIs?

Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Paul Stirling, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mubasir Khan, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Marchant de Lange, Mohammad Wasim Jr

Multan SultansShan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan, Sohaib Maqsood, Rilee Rossouw, Tim David, Khushdil Shah, David Willey, Imran Tahir, Imran Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Abbas Afridi

What's the prediction?

Sultans bucked the trend and won batting first in Karachi. But expect normal service to resume in this one. Barring any horrible batting collapses, this will come down to the toss of a coin again.

Where can I watch the game?

In Pakistan, games will be on A Super and PTV Sports.

In the UK games will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404, Virgin 504).

In Australia, the games will be shown on Foxtel, Fox Sports and Kayo.

In India, Sony Sports Network carries the broadcast rights.

In the Caribbean, Flow Sports hold the broadcast rights, with Willow TV showing the tournament in North America.

SuperSport will provide coverage in South Africa, while Sky Sport will show the matches in New Zealand.

The PCB has partnered with ICC TV and tapmad TV to broadcast PSL7 in: Andorra, Antarctica, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bouvet Island, Bouvet Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos Island, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, East Timor, Ecuador, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Faroe islands, Finland, France, French Guiana, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guyana, Heard Island, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgystan, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Caledonia, North Korea, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Vietnam and Venezuela.

The commentary line-up includes Nick Knight, David Gower, Mike Haysman, Pommie Mbangwa, Danny Morrison, Bazid Khan, Waqar Younis, Urooj Mumtaz, Sana Mir, Marina Iqbal and Tariq Saeed. Erin Holland, Zainab Abbas and Sikandar Bakht will present the live coverage.

PSL GUIDES (open in external window in app)

Islamabad United

Karachi Kings

Lahore Qalandars

Multan Sultans

Peshawar Zalmi

Quetta Gladiators

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