HBL PSL X: Peshawar Zalmi eye comeback in game against Islamabad United

Following a humiliating 80-run defeat at the hands of Quetta Gladiators in their opening match, Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi will be desperately looking to pull off their first win when they face defending champions Islamabad United during their HBL PSL X match at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi tonight.

Zalmi's batting had failed completely in their first game against Gladiators. Their key man Babar Azam was removed by Mohammad Amir in the first over for a duck, a wicket which put pressure on the rest of the batting line-up.

However, it was a great sign for Zalmi that their prolific opener Saim Ayub was seen in solid touch. After coming back from serious injury there were doubts around his form and it was expected that he would need some time to regain the sort of touch he is famous for. But he left an impact immediately, managed a few fine strokes against Gladiators before falling for a 38-ball 50.

Meanwhile, Hussain Talat showed promise in the first game with the bat and is expected to repeat that performance.

Zalmi will need a decent start in the powerplay as it has been seen so far that runs come in the first six overs and last five overs.

Zalmi have no big names in bowling but whatever the resources they have it is expected that they will rightly execute the plans. It's not easy to bowl on these pitches and even the world's renowned bowlers were seen facing issues to contain the batsmen.

Saim Ayub bowled well in the first game and his overs are always bonus for Zalmi if they go well. Additionally, Mohammad Ali, Ali Raza, Alzaari Joseph, Sufyan Muqeem and Hussain Talat could bowl tightly to put pressure on the opposition.

On the other hands, United, the record three-time winners are a dangerous side. They have a few fine batsmen in their side including Colin Munro and Salman Ali Agha.

United had inducted Sahibzada Farhan a bit late and the form he showed in the National T20 was not seen in his first appearance against Qalandars, although, he managed a few good strokes. United will need a good contribution from him in the coming matches.

United also have big hitting Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, skipper Shadab Khan and Andries Gous, who failed in the first game, at their disposal.

United's bowling is also strong having the likes of Naseem Shah, Riley Meredith, dangerous Jason Holder and spin duo Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan. Both Shadab and Imad had done extremely well in the first game against Qalandars in which United had secured an eight-wicket victory.

Islamabad United:

Shadab Khan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Azam Khan, Ben Dwarshuis, Andries Gous, Haider Ali, Jason Holder, Hunain Shah, Imad Wasim, Riley Meredith, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Shahzad, Colin Munro, Naseem Shah, Rumman Raees, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Irshad, Mathew Short, Rassie van Der Dussen

Peshawar Zalmi:

Babar Azam (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Ali Raza, Arif Yaqoob, Max Bryant, Hussain Talat, Ihsanullah, Alzarri Joseph, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, George Linde, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Nahid Rana, Najibullah Zadran, Mitchell Owen, Saim Ayub, Sufiyan Muqeem, Luke Wood