To think that only 4 months ago, no one was sure that PSL 5 would be completed given the situation of the world wide pandemic, it has been an achievement to come to February 20, 2021 with everyone set for PSL 6. The Greenshirts have been in a busy winter season.Albiet the tours have signified their mediocre performances by global standards, it hasn’t reduced the craving of the average fan, especially even with the recent home tour being played without any crowds.
Thats where PSL is set to make a difference. The crowds are set to come back in Karachi.The glitz and glamour is set to roll.The foreign contingent signed up by the franchises is keen and majority have already arrived in the “City of Lights” for the month long league.With the pandemic restricting only two centres in this edition, many will miss the roar of the crowds in Multan which took PSL 5 by storm as well as the fast scoring Rawalpindi surface which has the fastest strike rate of any PSL venue.Unlike the PSL5 final,it is hoped that the games will be high scoring.Sky Sports is broadcasting the coverage for the first time in UK this year which will enhance the league’s image as well.
The defending champs Karachi Kings are playing considerably at home this time and with being crowned winners just 3 months ago will start out favourites.Many of their victorious squad members return.With Babar Azam and Sharjeel Khan up top, they look sound. Danish Aziz is one to watch as well. With their bowling unit looking set to be boosted with Mohammad Ilyas and Mohammad Nabi,they start out one of the favourites.At NSK, the crowd support will also be a huge plus.Whether Imad is fit to lead all throughout given his past tourney records, is uncertain.
Quetta Gladiators face Kings in the opener on Saturday evening.To say the crowd will be partisan is debatable. It is argued that they represent the real ” Karachi” having so many players inducted from the owner Nadeem Omar ‘s ” Pakistan Club”. Quetta missed the playoffs last time and will be keen to make up this year.Skipper Sarfraz Ahmad has a good track record and Gladiators enjoy the best winningest percentage of the league.They have the fast bowling pairing of Mohammad Hasnain and Nasim Shah, with Mohammad Nawaz leading the spin ranks boosted by his national team return. Azam Khan is set to have another crucial stint in the hitting campaign.However,Jason Roy and Shane Watson will be missing and it is unsure how long Chris Gayle stays.
Peshawar Zalmi have the won the most PSL games to date and featured in every playoffs played as well as three finals in a row. Their track record is impressive. It is an experienced squad, no doubt.Wahab Riaz leads the team again. Umaid Asif and Imam ul Haq return with Shoaib Malik.With David Miller, in renewed hitting form they will be boosted no doubt.Will Kamran Akmal be in same rhythm though ? Will Haidar Ali pick up where he left off in 2020’s PSL ? Certain questions will find them wanting .
Islamabad United seem rejuvenated with their No.1 pick of the draft, Hassan Ali. He is the comeback player of the year with his performances in the Pindi test and the domestic games once again elevating his rank again. He certainly will be one of the star attraction alongside his “Roti” group mates Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan who save their best for this league format as well. Shadab’ s injury is a concern however United has drafted huge this year and have services of the up and coming keeper Rohail Nazir as well starting as is Alex Hales up top. Zafar Gohar and Mohammad Wasim Jr will also be ones to watch out. Hussain Talat and Asif Ali will have to improve their game, considerably.
Multan Sultans must be thrilled by having their prized draft pick in Mohammad Rizwan. He has been lights out since end of last summer and enjoying the crest of a wave. He is drafted straight in as the skipper of his new team whereas a year ago he wasn’t even in the first 11 at Kings.How times change. Sohaib Maqsood has found some good form and with Chris Lynn and Riley Rossouw they have hitting power. Usman Qadir is in good form. Shahnawaz Dhani is expected to surprise.But Sultans do also pose questions.Where will Shan Masood find himself ? Is there enough bowling in their arsenal to trouble consistently ? Will they wilt in a playoff scenario like last year in NSK ?
Finally the runners up and neutral’s favourites – Lahore Qalandars. They always have an unpredictability package but on the contrary have also retained many of their 2020 form driving nucleus with Mohammad Hafeez, Ben Dunk, Samit Patel and David Wiese returning.Haris and Shaheen are an ace combo in bowling.Sohail Akhtar has an uncanny ability to score at crucial times though is largely unknown still by many, surprisingly.The issue might be their depth as a lot of their emerging members are picked from their development squad.Will they get to the playoffs though as a home crowd will be awaiting them hugely in March?
Fans will find their groove at some point of this tourney even if they don’t find Naseebo’s. There always comes a point when PSL just rises up like a “kulcha” dough in a Gawalmandi tandoor and the tourney lights up. That might be the pair of Lahore/ Karachi games coming or a young bowler or batsman finding his stride.It will come eventually,so till then sit back, relax and enjoy the ” Pawri ” !
Sportsfan Says 