Zalmi set to lock horns with resurgent Kingsmen for PSL 11 title

Unstoppable Peshawar Zalmi are set to lock horns with the resurgent Hyderabad Kingsmen in the HBL Pakistan Super League Final at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday (today). Zalmi reached the final after losing just one game against Qalandars, while Kingsmen caught fire at the right moments to defy odds to stay alive after losing the first four matches. Zalmi are clearly the favourites with the top two run-scorers in the league, as well as the top wicket-taker. Skipper Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis’ phenomenal consistency provides Mohammad Haris at the top for a free hit in the powerplay. Sufiyan Muqim, well clear of everybody else on the wickets chart, can derail any batting line-up in his current form, while Iftikhar Ahmed has proved a surprise success with the ball this year. In Ali Raza, Zalmi have perhaps the most valuable emerging player, and certainly the quickest. Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana is back for the final after being given NOC by the BCB. But Kingsmen could not be completely ruled out of the game due to the presence of so many impact players. They have Hunain Shah, the hero in their win against United in the second eliminator. The young quick had shone in earlier must-win games to help the side reach the final. Usman Khan had also come into form at the right moment to score quick runs when needed the most. Momentum and destiny all appear to lie with the Kingsmen. They have now won seven of their last eight, and found multiple matchwinners in that time. They may not have the completeness of Zalmi, but they will perhaps sense that adversity hasn’t touched their opposition in the way it has tested them. If they can turn this into a game of nerves, Kingsmen have the experience to come through in a way Zalmi might not. Hyderabad beat Islamabad in last-ball thriller to reach PSL 11 final