PSL 2023 match preview: Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi

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?

Karachi Kings takes on Peshawar Zalmi in the opening match of PSL8.

When is it taking place?

The match is scheduled to start at 7pm local time (2pm GMT) on Tuesday, February 14.

Where is the match being played?

The National Stadium in Karachi will host this fixture.

Who's got the form?

This the first game of the new season for both teams. After a disappointing end to PSL 2022 for both, they will want a strong start to the new campaign.

The Kings ended last season bottom of the table, only recording one win from 10. While Zalmi lost out in the first eliminator to Islamabad United.

What's the key match-up?

The Kings will be led out but allrounder Imad Wasim, and with the franchise experience of Jams Vince in the squad they should be looking at a much effective batting unit. Adding the bowling credentials of Imran Tahir, the Kings could be on for a much better season.

New arrival to Peshawar, Babar Azam will captain the side for their first game after completing a move from the Kings in November. With an average of 43.61 in T20 cricket and a strike rate of 127.55, Babar will provide some stability to the explosive batting line-up at Zalmi’s disposal. The likes of Mohammad Harris, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Rovman Powell are all in-line for a start.

^{Babar Azam swapped Karachi Kings for Peshawar Zalmi [Getty Images]}

What is the team news?

Shamsi has a partial replacement for the season in Faisal Akram however the South African bowler should be available for selection.

Powell should be ready to go for Zalmi after completing a season in the ILT20 with the Dubai Capitals.

Those involved in Sunday franchise finals in South Africa and Dubai may not make the cut. They include James Vince, Adam Rossington and James Fuller for Karachi Kings; Jimmy Neesham for Peshawar Zalmi.

What are the squads?

Karachi Kings: Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Malik, Aamir Yamin, Mir Hamza, Sharjeel Khan, Qasim Akram, Matthew Wade, Imran Tahir, James Vince, James Fuller, Andrew Tye, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Akhlaq, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Tabraiz Shamsi, Mohammad Umar, Ben Cutting, Musa Khan, Faisal Akram (partial replacement for Tabraiz Shamsi), Adam Rossington (partial replacement for James Vince)

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 ur Rahman)

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

What are the possible starting XIs?

Karachi Kings: Sharjeel Khan, James Vince, Haider Ali, Irfan Khan, Matthew Wade, Imad Wasim, Qasim Akram, Shoaib Malik, Imran Tahir, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Umar

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Mohammad Haris, Aamer Jamal, Haris Sohail, Rovman Powell, Jimmy Neesham, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Wahab Riaz, Salman Irshad, Arshad Iqba

What is the weather forecast?

Dry and warm, with temperatures of around 24 degrees Celsius at the start of play.

^{Imad Wasim captains Karachi Kings [Getty Images]}

What are the odds?

Most bookies have this one as going either way, with odds of 5/6 for either side to win.

What's the prediction?

With both teams aiming for a strong start to the campaign this match is close to call. However, with Babar at the top of the order for Zalmi they could just edge out in front as the favourites.

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).