The top of the table clash will see Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings fight it out for a place in the final. Led by Shan Masood, Multan Sultans were the most dominant team throughout the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League. They finished on the top of the table with six wins and a very healthy net run rate. They will be up against Karachi Kings who finished second. Winner will qualify for the final while the loser will have another bite at the cherry. Let’s look at the key players who will be in action on Saturday.
Multan Sultans
Imran Tahir
Overall, the whole bowling unit fared very well for Multan but Imran Tahir was the chief destroyer in the league stage. He featured in 7 games and picked up 10 wickets. Not only he was good with the old ball but he also took crucial wickets and stemmed the flow of runs in the power play. With loads of experience in playing in the T20 leagues around the world, there is no question that Multan will be looking towards him to deliver in the business end of the tournament.
Rilee Rossouw
The Proteas star was in red hot form during the tournament and was the main stay in the middle order for Sultans. He played a blistering knock against his former franchise Quetta Gladiators and scored a 44- ball century. He was also pivotal in many other games for his team and won two man-of-the-match awards. Rossouw scored 189 runs in 7 games with a strike rate of 154.91.
Sohail Tanvir
The left-armer will be leading the pace attack for Multan Sultans. He had a great run in the tournament and scalped 10 wickets in 7 games. He had an economy rate of 6.80 and his best figures were 4 for 13 against Peshawar Zalmi. With matches to be held in November and new ball expected to move around, Sohail Tanvir can certainly cause problems for the opposition.
Karachi Kings
Babar Azam
Babar Azam has been in red hot form in the shortest format with him scoring three half-centuries in his last four international outings. Pakistan’s captain is averaging over 50.93 in the format. In the PSL, he amassed 345 runs and finished as the highest run-getter in the league stage. He averaged 49.28 and scored three half-centuries as well. All eyes will be on him once again as Karachi are up against a very potent bowling attack.
Alex Hales
The Englishmen was in explosive form for the Kings and gave flying starts at the top of the innings. He scored 239 runs in 7 matches at a healthy average of 59. Hales hit 12 sixes in the tournament and his strike rate is in excess of 156. His contributions at the top of the order will be crucial as Karachi Kings look to reach their first final.
Muhammad Amir
He was the leading wicket-taker for Karachi in the group stages of the tournaments and bagged 10 wickets in 8 games at an economy of 7.58. His spells in the death overs were instrumental in limiting oppositions to low scores. His best performance in the season was 4 for 25 against Multan Sultans. After being dropped for the upcoming New Zealand tour, Muhammad Amir will be taking this as a big opportunity to impress the selectors.
