Click here for Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi odds
Sunday 29 March, 15.00
TV: Live on Willow/Tapmad
Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi PSL Tips
Islamabad United would have hoped that a new season would have brought new energy and an end to their horrible slump which saw them collapse halfway through last season. It was not to be in their opener against Sultans, who cruised to a five-wicket win.
United have now lost seven of their last eight matches. Chances of a win are probably not aided by selecting an unblanced XI. We are huge fans of Faheem Ashraf as a player but he can only surely play as a genuine all-rounder instead of a specialist batter. Perhaps him being unused with the ball was just a quirk which will be rectified.
The appeal of United has been that trio of super all-rounders in Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim and Faheem, allowing them scope to bat deep. It might be a good idea to utilise it.
Zalmi are underway with a win and they did so against new boys Rawalpindi even without the ubiquitous top-bat effort from Babar Azam. Babar's win rate was clipped slightly from 47% pre tournament but he looked in reliably good touch with 39 from 28.
Micharel Bracewell and Abdul Samad, however, were the stars as, typically, Zalmi got behind the rate and the pair were required to blitz. They did so in breathtaking fashion.
It is a wonder now with heavy traffic on this Lahore square whether Babar's more studious approach could really start to pay off. So Sportsbook's [4/] that he scores most runs in the match could be worth a gamble.
Back Babar Azam top match bat
Click here for Multan Sultans v Hyderabad Kingsmen odds
Wednesday 1 April, 15.00
TV: Live on Willow/Tapmad
Multan Sultans v Hyderabad Kingsmen PSL Tips
Hyderabad Kingsmen play on April Fool's Day. After two defeats in two and, it has to be said, twin shockers there is probably a joke in there somewhere.
It is probably too early to write them off completely but the portents are not good. They have been beaten by 69 runs and 40 runs against Lahore and Quetta respectively. Now, it could be they have been unfortunate to come up against two of the better sides, hardly ideal for a new franchise trying to make its way.
Still, there are signs of panic. HK started with Usman Khan opening the batting but have now moved him to No 4. They also axed Muhammad Ali, who has been one of the better death bowlers in PSL in the last two years. Chopping and changing so early is unlikely to intsil confidence in players.
Among the chaos it might be best to stick with tried and trusted numbers so Usman, who started the season with a win rate of 40%, is a bet at an inflated odds of 9/25.50 for top HK bat.
Back Usman Khan top Hyderabad bat