Two-times winner Islamabad get their campaign underway in Pakistan T20 League against Multan. Islamabad finished last in 2020, and Multan was eliminated in the playoffs despite finishing at the top of the table.
Match Timings: Feb 21, 7:30 PM IST
Team Preview
Karachi’s National Stadium will host two top-sides, Islamabad and Multan, on Sunday night in Pakistan T20 League 2021. Islamabad are the most successful side in the tournament with two trophies, while Multan is looking for its first title since its debut season. Their best performance came in 2020 when they finished top of the table and entered into the playoffs.
Before the new season, Multan appointed Mohammed Rizwan as the new skipper who has been terrific for Pakistan in all-format. He become the second wicket-keeper batsman in the world to score a century in all three formats. Rizwan got the reward of his talent, and he led Pakistan in New Zealand as well. COVID hurt Multan when they played playoffs eight months later, and the rhythm was broken by Karachi and Lahore. They showed faith on its senior core group players like Rilee Rossouw, Sohail Tanvir, Imran Tahir, and Shahid Afridi. Usman Qadir will be a key figure after his good domestic and international performance. From the draft, Multan got Adam Lyth, Carlos Brathwaite, and Chris Lynn in the overseas category. Lynn and Brathwaite had a fabulous season in Australia T20 League 2020-21. James Vince has also been retained. Lynn and Vince might open, followed by former skipper Shan Masood at number three. Rilee Rossouw, and Mohammad Rizwan, will add depth in middle-order. Khushdil Shah, and Shahid Afridi, will be the pinch-hitters. The pace-attack will be led by veteran Sohail Tanvir, and Imran Tahir will provide a spark to spin. The spin-attack is best among all teams, but they lack in pace.
Meanwhile, Islamabad got Hasan Ali as a wildcard and Alex Hales by trading from Karachi. They retained Colin Munro, Asif Ali, and Faheem Ashraf. The trio are in tremendous form. The capital side also included Chris Jordon, Lewis Gregory, Phil Salt, and Reece Topley from the overseas section. Shadab Khan's troops won just three matches last season, but they won the draft by picking quality players. Alex Hales was the top-scorer of the Australia T20 League 2020-21 with 543 runs at an average of 38.78. Munro withdrew from this season, but they got Paul Stirling. Dawid Malan will also miss the season for Islamabad. Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf proved in the last one year, so their local group is strong. The skipper Shadab Khan didn’t play much due to injury, so he will have a big responsibility. This Islamabad side is made for the playoffs this season, and they would enter as the favourites on Sunday night.
Possible XI
Islamabad
Alex Hales, Paul Stirling, Shadab Khan, Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Phil Salt, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Zafar Gohar, Musa Khan
Multan
Chris Lynn, James Vince, Shan Masood, Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Rizwan, Khushdil Shah, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, Imran Tahir, Shahnawaz Dhani
Key Players
Islamabad
Alex Hales
Aus T20 League 2020-21 – 543 runs at an average of 38.78
Faheem Ashraf
Prominent international run since NZ tour
Multan
Chris Lynn
Aus T20 League 2020-21 – 458 runs at an average of 35.23
Mohammad Rizwan
T20Is vs NZ & SA – 325 runs at an average of 65
