Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United: Both Teams Share a Very Competitive Rivalry in the PSL

• Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi are tied when it comes to head to head record with nine wins each.
• Islamabad United lead by 3-2 in the previous five encounters. 
• Islamabad United have a stronger side on paper for this season. 

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United Odds

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United Prediction and Pick

Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi share a very competitive rivalry in the PSL. They have faced each other 18 times, with both the teams winning nine games each. Islamabad United have a stronger batting unit between these two teams while the bowling attacks are mostly on level. We predict Islamabad United to win this match.

Predicted XI 

Peshawar Zalmi: Mohammad Haris (wk), Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, Dasun Shanaka, James Neesham, Wahab Riaz, Usman Qadir, Arshad Iqbal, Sufiyan Muqeem

Islamabad United: Paul Stirling, Hassan Nawaz, Rassie van der Dussen, Colin Munro, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Rumman Raees, Abrar Ahmed 

Islamabad United Hold Advantage Against Peshawar Zalmi in a Batting Shootout

The 12th match of the PSL 2013 will feature Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United go head to head. The two teams will meet at National Stadium in Karachi on Thursday, February 23rd. 

Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, have won two of three games so far but their net run-rate has taken a hit due to their 56-run defeat against Multan Sultans. They're coming off a four-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators on Monday.

Their new ball bowlers did a good job before Usman Qadir pegged Quetta further with 37 for 3 on the board in 8.3 overs. Quetta recovered to post 154/4 but it wasn't enough as Zalmi came out swinging. They were 67 for 4 trying to go too hard before Rovman Powell (36 off 23) and James Neesham (38 off 23) added 46 runs to pretty much seal the game. 

Islamabad United began their 2023 campaign with a five-wicket win over Karachi Kings but were hammered by Multan Sultans in the second. Their bowling attack was smashed by Mohammad Rizwan, David Miller and Kieron Pollard, conceding 190/4. 

Chasing the target, Rassie van der Dussen scored 49 off 34 and added 56 runs for the third wicket with Colin Munro. They were in a good position at the halfway mark but lost two wickets in the next over. Islamabad could not recover from it and were eventually bowled out for 138. 

Team News

Peshawar Zalmi have high-intent Mohammad Haris and dependable Babar Azam at the top with promising Saim Ayub to follow. The middle order of Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, Dasun Shanaka and James Neesham looks pretty strong and is in form. Wahab Riaz, Usman Qadir and Neesham will need to do the job in the bowling department with inexperienced Arshad Iqbal and Sufiyan Muqeem to support.

Islamabad United have a few player availability issues but still have a strong batting line-up. They have Paul Stirling and Rassie van der Dussen in the top order while Colin Munro, Shadab Khan and Azam Khan form a strong middle order. In the previous game, they had brought in leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed in place of Asif Ali. The bowling attack remains a concern with a lot depending on Mohammad Wasim Jr and Shadab Khan. The likes of Tom Curran, Rumman Raees and Faheem Ashraf are the supporting cast. 

Key Players 

James Neesham has become one of the most reliable players in the T20 circuit over the last few months. He has made an impact with both bat and ball on a consistent basis. Neesham has played 15 T20s in 2023, picking 17 wickets at an economy of 8.15 while scoring 241 runs at an average of 27 and a strike rate of 137. 

Colin Munro has immense experience, having played all over the world. The destructive left hand batter has a stellar record in the shorter format, with over 9200 runs to his credit at an average of 31 while striking at 141. Munro has looked in good touch this tournament, smashing 58 off 28 in the first game and 31 off 23 in the second. 

How to Watch Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United

• What: Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United, Match 12, PSL 2023
• Where: National Stadium, Karachi
• When: February 23, 2023 / 9:00 AM EST 
• How to watch: Sony Sports Network / Sony LIV (Application), Flow Sports (Caribbean), Fox Sports (Australia), Sky Sport NZ (New Zealand), SuperSport (South Africa), Willow TV (USA), Sky Sports Cricket (United Kingdom)