Fight for survival in PSL begins at Lahore tonight

The third edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) has entered the eliminators stage, where defending champion Peshawar Zalmi will take on two time finalists Quetta Gladiators at Lahore’s historic venue of Gaddafi Stadium.

On the points table, both the contenders sit with 10 points each, after winning five and losing five matches in this season's league stage. However, Zalmis are carrying on the momentum as they managed to straightened up just at the right moment, after back-to-back victories in their last two games and the Zalmis have finally ticked in all the departments.

The other major advantage the Zalmi possess is they will be bringing their entire team unchanged or the playoffs, an advantage unfortunately not enjoyed by Sarfraz’s men.

The Gladiators are visibly weak after the departure of star batsman Kevin Pietersen and more importantly the exit of all rounder Shane Watson, one of the top runs scorer in this season PSL, has dented the Gladiators.

However, the Gladiators have brought in Sri Lankan captain Thisara Perera and Bangladesh batsman Mahmudullah as replacements.

Squads:

Peshawar Zalmi : Darren Sammy (Capt), Kamran Akmal(w), Andre Fletcher, Riki Wessels, Mohammad Hafeez, Saad Nasim, Liam Dawson, Umaid Asif, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Sameen Gul, Hammad Azam, Chris Jordan, Haris Sohail, Khushdil Shah, Ibtisam Sheikh, Khalid Usman, Mohammad Asghar, Tamim Iqbal, Sabbir Rahman

Quetta Gladiators : Sarfraz Ahmed (Capt), Asad Shafiq, Johnson Charles, Umar Amin, Rameez Raja, Rilee Rossouw,  Mohammad Nawaz, Anwar Ali, Hasan Khan, Mir Hamza, Rahat Ali, Saad Ali, Saud Shakeel, Chris Green, Mahmudullah, Thisara Perera, Tom Kohler-Cadmore