Pakistan Super League Tips Matches 28 and 29: Can anyone stop Zalmi?

Click here for Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings
Sunday 19 April, 10.30
TV: Live on Willow/Tapmad/Ary

Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings PSL Tips

This will be Multan's first match in just under a week. It would be fair to say that they will be alarmed at what has occurred since their last action. Despite defeat against Peshawar Zalmi, they remained well-placed for an assault on the top two.

However, they now find themselves five points behind Zalmi who look unstoppable. They are also a point behind Islamabad with inferior net run rate. 

There are also signs that all is not well in the Sultans camp. Steve Smith and Sahib Farhan, their excellent opening pair, had a falling out when Farhan denied Smith a single. It was similar to Smith turning down Babar Azam for a single in the Bash's most recent season which caused a schism in the camp. Babar eventually was recalled by his country with suggestions that the row had something to do with it.

If Sultans can keep it together for 40 overs, however, they will be confident of taking the points against a Kings side which are imploding. They have lost three on the spin and were without David Warner, their skip, again in the last match. Warner has been struggling with a back injury so Reeza Hendricks has come in. Hasan Ali, their talisman with the ball, has not looked his old self since being hit by a fever. Jason Roy has also turned up for a hit.

The standout bet may be sticking with reliability among the chaos and that is Smith at 12/53.40 to top score for Sultans. Not that he needs a reason to be more focussed but the Farhan falling out is not a negative for him like it was Babar.

Click here for Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators odds
Sunday 19 April, 15.00
TV: Live on Willow/Tapmad/Ary

Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators PSL Tips

This will be the 14th match played in Karachi in succession and we are now seeing signs that square is struggling to cope with the amount of overs which have been bowled. In five of the last six matches the first-innings score has come under 155 and in what will be the last contest before the tournament moves back to Lahore, it would be wise to start betting on bowlers dominating.

It is no surprise that scores have been affected. Pitches now have little or no preparation at all and when watching matches on television it is clear that the surfaces look scarred and worn. It is unlikely to help that the pitch for this game is likely to be the same used for the earlier game. It is difficult for groundstaff to have two strips prepared for one day as, inevitably, players have to dive, run and slide across the square. Hessian matting is not often used these days to cover pitches because of safety issues.

The best way to play may be to take no fifty at 11/53.20 in the first-innings. The 5/16.00 is also available but just ticking the first dig box should make for a less stressful afternoon. 

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