Islamabad United will take on Peshawar Zalmi on 17 June, in Match 26 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
Shadab Khan’s Islamabad have stormed to the top of the points table, with six wins in eight matches. Colin Munro, Iftikhar Ahmed and Asif Ali have all risen to the challenge in Faheem Ashraf’s absence. Munro has been in sublime form since the resumption of the tournament in the UAE. He has amassed 193 runs in 4 games at a strike rate of 175, averaging 96.5.
Led by Wahab Riaz, second-placed Peshawar have won five times and lost four. In their last encounter, they humiliated defending champions Karachi Kings with a six-wicket win. Hazratullah Zazai’s 26-ball 63 helped Peshawar reach the puny 109 with nine overs to spare. With 14 scalps, Wahab is currently the joint-leading wicket-taker, alongside Shahnawaz Dhani.
Skipper @WahabViki becomes the leading wicket taker this season of @thePSLt20 after his 3 wickets against the Kings 💪
He is our @AirlinkALC Smart player of the match#Zalmi #YellowStorm #ZKingdom #HBLPSL6 #Airlink pic.twitter.com/o2m1a4d6nP
— PeshawarZalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) June 16, 2021
Islamabad were bowled out for 118 in 17.1 overs when the two sides last met. Riaz returned 4-17 and Saqib Mahmood 3-12 in 2.1 overs. Tom Kohler-Cadmore (46) and Haider Ali (36 of 18) then took Peshawar past the finishing line with 17 balls to spare.
Head to Head
Peshawar have played Islamabad 14 times. They have won seven and lost six, while one ended in no result.
Probable XIs
Islamabad United: Usman Khawaja, Colin Munro, Rohail Nazir (wk), Shadab Khan (c), Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Hasan Ali, Akif Javed, Ali Khan and Mohammad Wasim Jr
Peshawar Zalmi: Kamran Akmal (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Wahab Riaz (c), Umaid Asif, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Irfan and Sameen Gul
Prediction
Peshawar to win the contest.