Crowd favourites Zalmi launch PSL season X campaign today

ISLAMABAD: The stage is set, the excitement is palpable, and cricket fever has gripped Rawalpindi as Peshawar Zalmi gear up to launch their Season X Pakistan Super League (PSL) campaign in style.

Zalmi will lock horns with Quetta Gladiators in what promises to be a high-octane day match at the Pindi Stadium today (Saturday). After a string of near-misses in the past editions, Zalmi enter PSL 10 brimming with confidence -- thanks in no small part to the much-anticipated return of the electric Saim Ayub, who has been declared match-fit.

All eyes will be on Saim as he’s expected to spearhead Zalmi charge with his aggressive style and fearless stroke play. Partnering him at the top are run-machine Babar Azam and the explosive Mohammad Haris, forming a top order that’s as formidable as any in the tournament.

The middle-order boasts international firepower, with seasoned Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Australia’s Max Bryant adding depth and muscle. Afghanistan’s Najibullah Zadran and Australian all-rounder Mitchell Owen add further versatility, giving Zalmi a well-rounded middle and lower order. On the bowling front, Zalmi have assembled a potent pace battery. The express Alzarri Joseph, 2024’s leading pacer Mohammad Ali, and emerging talent Ali Raza form a trio that can rattle even the strongest batting line-ups. Complementing them are Bangladesh’s Naheed Rana and England’s Luke Wood, both capable of delivering under pressure.

However, it’s the spin department that might just give Zalmi the edge this season. With the crafty Mehran Mumtaz, wily Arif Yaqoob, and exciting new prospect Sufiyan Muqeem, Zalmi possesses a spin trio that could prove match-winning on turning tracks.

But Quetta Gladiators are no pushovers. They’re marching into this encounter with a powerhouse squad of their own. The inclusion of New Zealand’s dynamic opener Finn Allen injects instant flair into their batting lineup.

Add to that the experienced Rilee Rossouw and Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis, and you have a top order that’s built to dominate. The Gladiators have also reshaped their domestic core with promising names like Hasan Nawaz, Haseebullah, and Khawaja Nafay, giving their top order a fresh, youthful look. Their middle-order enjoys the calm assurance of veterans Saud Shakeel and Shoaib Malik, two players who can anchor innings or accelerate as needed.

In the bowling department, the Gladiators bring serious firepower. Australians Sean Abbott and Kyle Jamieson form a fearsome new-ball duo, supported by Pakistan’s own Mohammad Wasim, who brings pace and precision. The spin options are equally threatening, with Usman Tariq and West Indies’ Akeal Hosein offering guile and control in the middle overs.

Historically, both the teams share championship glory -- Zalmi lifted the trophy in 2016-17, while Gladiators tasted victory in 2018-19. With such a legacy, expect nothing short of a battle royal.

The weather might test the players’ stamina, with temperatures expected to touch 88°F during the day. But the heat on the field is expected to be even more intense. Both the sides have been fine-tuning their strategies with intense training sessions over the past four days, first at the Islamabad Club and then at the Pindi Stadium, leaving no stone unturned.

With Zalmi playing on home turf, a packed stadium is anticipated, and a sea of yellow is expected to flood the stands. Fans are likely to turn out in massive numbers, creating a charged atmosphere for what could be an early contender for the match of the tournament.