PSL 2023 match preview: Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United

Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2023 PSL

What's the match?

Peshawar Zalmi take on Islamabad United in the latest fixture of PSL8.

When is it taking place?

The match is set to take place at 7pm local time (2pm GMT) on Thursday, February 23.

Where is the match being played?

The National Stadium in Karachi will play host.

Who's got the form?

Peshawar Zalmi have the form going into this game as they sit second in the table with two wins in three. Islamabad United have one win and a loss in their two games played.

What's the key match-up?

Peshawar Zalmi's top order, including the likes of Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam, present a stern test of Islamabad United's bowlers. However there are plenty of power-hitters available for Islamabad, including the likes of Colin Munro and Paul Stirling. It could be an explosive encounter.

^{Peshawar Zalmi will look to Babar Azam for big runs [Getty Images]}

What is the team news?

Peshawar Zalmi have no injury concerns at the moment and have all the services of their international players.

Islamabad United are without Moeen Ali after his withdrawal from the tournament. Alex Hales will join the rest of the squad on February 26. Fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi joined the squad last week but has yet to start for United.

What are the squads?

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam, Sherfane Rutherford, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Haris, Aamir Jamal, Salman Irshad, Tom-Kohler Cadmore, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Rovman Powell, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Danish Aziz, Arshad Iqbal, Saim Ayub, Usman Qadir, Suifyan Muqeem, Haseeb Ullah, Jimmy Neesham, Khurram Shahzad, Haris Sohail, Richard Gleeson (partial replacement for Rovman Powell), Peter Hatzoglou (partial replacement for Mujeeb), Shakib Al Hasan (available until February 26)

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Colin Munro, Paul Stirling, Alex Hales, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abrar Ahmed, Sohaib Maqsood, Rumman Raees, Zeeshan Zamir, Hassan Nawaz, Moeen Ali, Mubasir Khan, Tom Curran, Zafar Gohar, Gus Atkinson (partial replacement for Rahmanullah Gurbaz), Tymal Mills (partial replacement for Alex Hales), Rassie van der Dussen (partial replacement for Moeen Ali)

*squads are for the overall competition and not specific to this match

What are the possible starting XIs?

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

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

What is the weather forecast?

The weather is set to be warm and dry with temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius at the start of play.

^{Islamabad United have only won once this season [Getty Images]}

What are the odds?

Islamabad United are the favourites for this one at 3/4 with Peshawar Zalmi placed at 11/10.

What's the prediction?

While Islamabad United may possess the more destructive strikers of the ball, the overall balance of Peshawar Zalmi’s side could prove too much for them. Zalmi look in a strong position to get their third win of the tournament.

Where can I watch the game?

Cricket fans in Pakistan will be able to watch PSL8 on A Sports, PTV Sports and TEN Sports on TV. Streamed matches will be available on Daraz App, tapmadTV and Tamasha.

Viewers around the world can watch the action live on Fox Sports (Australia), Sony (South Asia outside Pakistan), Willow TV (North America), Flow Sports (Caribbean), Sky Sports (United Kingdom), Sky Sport (New Zealand), Super Sport (sub-Saharan Africa) and, Etisalat and STARZPLAY (Mena).

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