Islamabad, Quetta clash in PSL opener of Sharjah leg

SHARJAH: After two days of lull as far as play goes, the 2017 HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) begins the second leg of action on the smaller field of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium with defending champions Islamabad United meeting Quetta Gladiators on Wednesday night.

Quetta are the only franchise yet to drop points after sealing contrasting victories against Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings in Dubai last week. With no big signings as such compared to the other four outfits, the Gladiators have been simply outstanding under the inspirational leadership of Sarfraz Ahmed, who has now been entrusted with the task of captaining Pakistan ODI to go with his T20 responsibility.

There is no doubt that Quetta are seeking revenge for their six-wicket defeat in the final of the inaugural edition against Misbah-ul-Haq’s squad which is still trying to overcome the loss of Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif owing to their alleged involvement in the corruption case that has rocked the PSL abruptly.

New signing Rilee Rossouw has emerged as the fulcrum on which Quetta’s pair of wins has come with successive half-centuries. The 27-year-old left-hander is now deemed ineligible to add to his 51 international appearances (36 ODIs and 15 T20Is) for South Africa after he signed a Kolpak deal to play for English county Hampshire from this summer. But for now he is Quetta’s most-prized acquisition.

Together with Sarfraz, Rossouw shared not only the first-ever century partnership for Quetta in the great display against Karachi Kings, the pair’s 130-run association is highest of the three 100-plus stands witnessed at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the opening leg and the second best in the brief history of the PSL.

While Quetta will be aspiring for a third successive victory, Islamabad United would be aiming to bounce back after Lahore Qalandars outgunned the champions by six wickets last Saturday despite Misbah making a welcome return to form with an unbeaten 61 off 36 deliveries.

Compared to Dubai, the Sharjah pitch is historically known for being kind to the slow bowlers. Hence, Quetta will have the advantage of strangulating the opposition with their left-arm spinning trio of Zulfiqar Babar, Mohammad Nawaz and young Hassaan Khan, who together played a pivotal role in successfully defending a modest total of 136-9 as Quetta pulled off a sensational eight-run win against Lahore Qalandars in last Friday’s first of the double-header fixtures.

After their sudden capitulation in the low-scoring thrilling loss against Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday night when they were hustled out for PSL’s lowest-ever total of 59 in 63 balls, Lahore Qalandars will probably relish the Sharjah venue much more, given their abundance of power-hitting talent.

The Lahore batsmen threw their bats around regardless of wickets tumbling at a rapid pace. Despite ultra-exuberance style of play backfiring badly, Brendon McCullum’s side almost sealed a miraculous result in their favour as Peshawar got over the line with only three wickets to spare.

Yasir Shah also made his presence felt after the harrowing tour of Australia by producing one of the best T20 spells of leg-spin bowling and could be the man that Karachi Kings fear most when the traditional Karachi-Lahore rivalry makes its first appearance in the ongoing competition on Thursday night.

Karachi Kings just can’t afford a third consecutive drubbing after losses against Peshawar and Quetta as Chris Gayle lines up to take on the side he represented in the first PSL — Lahore. The big-hitting left-hander is overdue to make his mark after scores of 2 and 10 against Peshawar and Quetta, respectively. The same applies for his West Indian compatriot Kieron Pollard as Kumar Sangakkara’s charges bid to stamp their authority.

The Darren Sammy-led Peshawar, meanwhile, play their first game of the eight-game Sharjah leg on Friday afternoon against Quetta.

Another key element to look for is which franchise will become the first to bat after the opening six Dubai fixtures saw captains electing to field upon winning the toss.

One big disappointment of the Dubai fixtures thus far — apart from the tournament opener last Thursday was preceded by a glitzy opening ceremony — was a distinct lack of crowd not dissimilar to the first edition.

But Sharjah, in contrast, will be buzzing with huge excitement since attracting spectators to this venue is no hassle given the proximity of its location for the settlers of the third populous city of the United Arab Emirates.

PSL Sharjah fixtures (all times PST):

Feb 15: Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators (9:00pm).

Feb 16: Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars (9:00pm).

Feb 17: Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators (4:30pm).

Feb 17: Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings (9:00pm.

Feb 18: Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators (4:30pm).

Feb 18: Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi (9:00pm).

Feb 19: Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi (9:00pm).

Feb 20: Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars (9:00pm).

Current standings

(Tabulated under played, won, lost, tied, points, net run-rate):

Peshawar Zalmi 3 2 1 0 4 +0.457