Karachi Kings, the champions of 2020, will be desperate for their first win when they face Peshawar Zalmi in their fourth match today in the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) seventh edition being played at the National Stadium Karachi.
The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.
Kings will be under extreme pressure following three consecutive losses, and a huge blow after Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Ilyas has been ruled out of the ongoing PSL due to injuries.
Unlike Ilyas, Amir has not participated in any match this season.
Mohammad Amir, who was nursing a side strain for the past week or so, has aggravated his back injury during rehabilitation and will no longer be available to participate in the remainder of the PSL 7, a statement from the franchise said on Thursday.
Following a seven-wicket defeat to Multan Sultans in their opener, the Kings were thrashed by Quetta Gladiators by eight wickets and beaten by Lahore Qalandars by six wickets.
The Kings’ players have been working out hard on the practice field and in the gym over the last few days.
Babar Azam, the Kings’ off-color skipper, is expected to shoulder the batting load. Babar produced a couple of decent scores over the last three games, but they fell short of his stature, as he is a world-class player and his team expects him to contribute more.
He is expected to get off to a solid start alongside the in-form Sharjeel Khan, who has already played two good innings. Sharjeel has shown excellent timing and will pose a serious threat to Zalmi’s frontline pacemen, who have struggled throughout the tournament.
Kings will also expect Mohammad Nabi to show his class with the willow. Nabi has been a tough batsman, and his role in the middle order will be crucial in today’s game.
Joe Clarke and Imad Wasim appear to be in fine form, but Kings require something phenomenal from them. Kings scored 124-5, 113 all out, and 170-7.
