PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE 2019 PREVIEW: Will Peshawar Zalmi bounce back from final defeat in 2018?

Ahead of the 2019 PSL, The Cricketer previews Peshawar Zalmi and whether they can reclaim their crown...

The only other side to have won the competition alongside Islamabad United, the Peshawar Zalmi will be looking for their second title in the 2019 PSL. 

Their leadership qualities have been strengthened by the acquisition of Misbah-ul-Haq, with the 44-year-old making himself available a year after leaving Islamabad.

Peshawar have the second best win percentage in the competition with 57.57%, just under five per cent fewer than Islamabad.

Who are the star players?

Peshawar Zalmi have a number of players with enormous international experience whom they can call upon.

The obvious star is Wahab Riaz, who was the joint highest wicket-taker last year with 18 from 13 at an average of 16.50.

Kamran Akmal, who is the highest run scorer in the competition’s history, scored 425 runs last year, a number that was only bettered by Luke Ronchi last year.

Darren Sammy and Kieron Pollard will add much needed T20 experience while British eyes will be drawn to the performances of Chris Jordan, Liam Dawson and Dawid Malan.

^{Kamran Akmal}

Who is in charge?

Peshawar Zalmi are coached by former bowler Mohammad Akram. 

West Indies’ Darren Sammy will captain the side. 

What are their strengths?

The fast-bowling department is an obvious strength for the Zalmi.

Wahab Riaz took all the plaudits last time out and rightly so, but he was ably supported by Hasan Ali, who has taken 26 wickets from 22 innings in his PSL career.

Add in Umaid Asif, who took 13 wickets from 12 innings last year and Sameen Gul who claimed six from eight, Peshawar looked well stocked in this area.

^{Wahab Riaz}

What are their weaknesses?

Quite simply, the batting. 

While Misbah may bring a wealth of experience he struggled in the Islamabad middle order last year, scoring 57 runs in four matches at an average of 19. 

Aside from Kamran Akmal, whose 929 matches from 33 innings, and England batsman Dawid Malan, there does seem to be a lack of quality in the batting department.

Darren Sammy has the next best average below those to with 24.64, and that is a big concern for the Zalmi.

What’s their history in the competition? 

2016 – Third

2017 – Champions

2018 – Runners-up

Prediction – Fourth

PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE 2019 SQUADS