ISLAMABAD UNITED VS. MULTAN SULTANS: PAK T20 LEAGUE 2021, QUALIFIER | PREDICTION AND FANTASY CRICKET TIPS
In the Qualifier of the Pak T20 League 2021, 1st-placed Islamabad United are up against 2nd-ranked Multan Sultans at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening.
Since the resumption of the league, Islamabad United have been dominant and come into this match having won their last 5 games. Despite a number of their key players being rested, they beat Multan Sultans by 4 wickets in their last game. The team will be full of confidence, with the likes of Usman Khawaja and Colin Munro both scoring big runs at the top of the order.
The middle-order trio of Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali and Hussain Talat has delivered good scores regularly in the previous games. In the bowling department, the side will be relying on their new-ball pair of Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali to provide crucial breakthroughs. Shadab Khan and Fawad Ahmed will be the main spin threats for the team in this game.
Multan Sultans ended their group stage campaign with a 2nd-place finish after winning 4 of their 5 games since the restart, an impressive turnaround despite a poor start in the tournament. The collapse suffered by their batting line-up against the same side in the last game will be a concern, as they lost their last 8 wickets for just 42 runs.
The likes of Mohammad Rizwan, Sohaib Maqsood and Shan Masood are expected to do the bulk of the scoring. Johnson Charles, Rilee Rossouw and Khusdil Shah are to provide the push in the final overs. In the bowling department, the side will be relying on Shahnawaz Dhani, Blessing Muzarabani and Imran Tahir to deliver crucial breakthroughs.
The formidable batting line-up of Islamabad United, alongside their current form, makes them favorites coming into this match. However, it will not be easy for them against an in-form and quality side like Multan Sultans. Another close contest is expected between the two teams for a spot in the final.
Match Details
- Match: Islamabad United vs. Multan Sultans, Qualifier
- Venue: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
- Date & Time: Jun. 21, 2021, at 6:30 PM IST/5 PM Local
Probable Playing XI
Islamabad United
Usman Khuwaja, Colin Munro, Muhammad Akhlaq (WK), Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Shadab Khan (C), Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Fawad Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim
Multan Sultans
Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Shan Masood, Sohaib Maqsood, Johnson Charles, Rilee Rossouw, Khushdil Shah, Sohail Tanvir, Imran Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Imran Tahir, Shahnawaz Dhani
Pitch & Weather Report
The weather is expected to be clear in Abu Dhabi during the match. The temperature will be around 38 degrees during the game.
The pitch at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium is a good surface to bat on. Batters can hit through the line and will get full value for their shots. Pacers should get some swing and bounce early on, while spinners should get the ball to turn and grip later in the match. The average first-innings score in the last five games played here has been 183 runs.
Although the last five games have all been won by the teams batting first, expect the captain winning the toss to opt to field first. A score of around 190 runs should be a competitive one here.
Top Fantasy Picks
Islamabad United
- Colin Munro has been brilliant in the UAE leg of the tournament for Islamabad. He is the leading run scorer for the team, with 241 runs in just five matches at an average of 80.33 and a strike rate of 174.63. He has already scored a 90*, 88* and a 48 in the tournament so far.
- Iftikhar Ahmed is a good all-round option for the Islamabad side. He is a clean-hitter and can take wickets in the middle overs. He has scored 195 runs in seven innings at an average of 48.75 and a strike rate of 128.28. He picked up a wicket in the last game against the same side.
- Hasan Ali is the highest wicket taker for Islamabad United this season, with 12 wickets in eight matches at an economy of 6.28. Since the resumption of the league, he has taken 6 wickets in four matches, with best figures of 2/24 against Quetta.
Multan Sultans
- Mohammad Rizwan is the second-highest run scorer in the tournament, with 470 runs in 10 matches at an average of 52.22 and a strike rate of 131.28. He has scored 4 half centuries, with a high score of 82* against Zalmi. He will look to score big in this important match.
- Shan Masood is an important batter at the top of the order for Multan Sultans. He has scored 146 runs in his last four matches at an average of 36.5, including 2 half centuries in his last three innings. He will look to get the team off to a good start with the bat.
- Shahnawaz Dhani is the highest wicket taker in this year’s league, with 20 wickets in nine matches at an economy of 8.19. His best figures of 4 for 5 came against Lahore two games ago. He will look to continue his great form and take more wickets against Islamabad.
Howzat Dream Team
- Wicketkeeper: M Rizwan
- Batsmen: C Munro, A Ali, S Masood, J Charles
- All-rounders: I Ahmed, S Tanvir
- Bowlers: H Ali, F Ahmed, S Dhani, I Tahir
- Captain: C Munro/H Ali
- Vice Captain: M Rizwan/S Dhani
NOTE: The Howzat dream team above is just a suggestion. You can make your match prediction and play fantasy cricket matches. Also, don’t forget to make any necessary changes to your team once the actual playing 11 is announced by each team (30 minutes before the start of the match) as some players you have selected might not be part of the team suggested.
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