KK vs PZ PSL Prediction 14 Feb 2023

The 2nd match of the Pakistan Super League will be between the Karachi Kings, captained by all-rounder Imad Wasim and Peshawar Zalmi, led by Pakistan skipper Babar Azam. It will be the first game for both these teams in the 8th edition of the PSL and the match will take place at the National Stadium in Karachi.

• A late-season surge thanks to a number of individual performances in key games ensured Peshawar Zalmi finished in third place last year.
• The Karachi Kings produced the worst return for a side in the PSL last year, winning only game and losing 9.
• All eyes will be on Babar Azam as he meets his old side for the first time after switching teams.

KK vs PZ – PSL – Venue Details

Venue: National Stadium, Karachi

Date: 14th February 2023

Time: 18:30 (local), 19:00 (IST)

KK vs PZ – PSL – Team Previews

Karachi Kings

Kings have lost a key player in Babar Azam, who left the team during the trading window and joined Zalmi last November. One of the major challenges that Kings faced during the last season was their sluggish start to innings. Despite Babar’s proven record of success, he doesn’t bring the speed at the top of the innings that most T20 sides require.

James Vince is expected to fill Babar’s role as opener, but his limited availability may mean that Sharjeel Khan will have to take on the majority of the powerplay responsibilities. In the middle order, Haider Ali and Ben Cutting will have to step up their game.

Kings’ absence of Tabraiz Shamsi, who is partially unavailable, presents a problem for the team, who once again face a shortage of top-notch spin options. Joe Clarke has been replaced by Matthew Wade, who Kings have shown a great deal of trust in by selecting him in the Platinum Category. Shoaib Malik has also returned to Kings from Zalmi, joining high-profile additions such as Imran Tahir and Andrew Tye.

Peshawar Zalmi

With Babar’s arrival and appointment as captain, the dynamics between him and Zalmi will be interesting to observe. This places a heavy burden on two young local batsmen, Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub, who both had standout seasons in the past year.

However, Zalmi has a strong middle order with the West Indies duo of Sherfane Rutherford and Rovman Powell, along with powerful hitters Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Jimmy Neesham. The bigger challenge may be their lack of top-notch fast bowlers, with Wahab Riaz being the only possible exception.

Off-spinner Mujeeb ur Rehman will only be partially available, with Richard Gleeson filling in while Powell is out. Salman Irshad, Arshad Iqbal, and Usman Qadir will need to step up and make sure Zalmi’s bowling isn’t lacklustre.

KK vs PZ – PSL – Probable Playing XI

Peshawar Zalmi: Sharjeel Khan, James Vince, Haider Ali, Ben Cutting, Shoaib Malik, Matthew Wade (wk), Tayyab Tahir, Imad Wasim (C), Imran Tahir/Tabraiz Shamsi, Musa Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi

Karachi Kings: Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Wahab Riaz, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Salman Irshad, Arshad Iqbal, Usman Qadir

KK vs PZ – PSL – Pitch Report and Toss Prediction

The pitch at the National Stadium in Karachi is very good for batting. The average first innings score at this venue is 188, which is on the higher side as well. No team has scored a total below 150 at this ground while batting first and there have been 6 occasions of a 190+ score.

KK vs PZ – PSL – Match Prediction

Last year the Karachi Kings were an embarrassment for most of the season and they have released their skipper. But the team still lacks depth in the batting. The head-to-head in the last five games favours Peshawar as well, with 4 to 1. So, we expect Babar Azam to come out of the winning side this time.