Why The Threat Of Relegation Is Real For Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi And Islamabad United

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Alex Hales As The Foreign PSL Player Under The COVID-19, COVID19 PSL 5 Asia Cup 2020
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Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United have always been among the top teams in Pakistan Super League (PSL). However, here is a look at why at least one of them might not feature in the playoffs of this year’s PSL.

Read: This Is What Misbah-ul-Haq Had To Say About Sarfaraz Ahmed Playing The T20 World Cup

Form Provides A Dismal Picture

Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi And Islamabad United
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Quetta Gladiators’ batting line seemed seriously out of form during the last few games. Thus, it is no wonder that the defending champions find themselves at the bottom of the points table.

Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators, Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi And Islamabad United
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For Islamabad United on the other hand it is their bowling that is failing them on a regular basis. Skipper Shadab Khan isn’t consistent enough with the ball to pose a serious threat. The likes of Dale Steyn and Rumman Raees too have failed to meet the expectations. To make matters worse all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Amad Butt too are yet to impress.

Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi And Islamabad United
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Zalmi on the other hand have seemed to be in disarray throughout the season. The fact that they decided to change their skipper midway pretty much explains why they have still not  qualified for the playoffs.

Read: Why Kamran Akmal Or Sarfaraz Ahmed Are Likely To Replace Mohd. Rizwan In Pakistan’s T20 Squad After PSL 5

The Rain Factor

Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi And Islamabad United
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Quetta has only six points so far with only two games left. Hence, ideally they should win both games to ensure a better chance of proceeding to the next round. Nevertheless, their game against Multan Sultans on the 11th of March, 2020 in Lahore is likely to be washed out.

Lahore Qalandars PSL 5
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Lahore Qalandars on the other hand also have six points and their game on the 15th March, against Multan Sultans is also likely to be washed out. Nevertheless, they have an additional game up their sleeve and they have finally hit form which makes their life a little easier.

Islamabad United During PSL 5
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Rain shouldn’t worry Islamabad as they only have one game which is to be played in Karachi. It is a must win game nevertheless and hence, the United are one bad game away from missing out on the next round. Also, even if they win they will really have to hope for results from other matches to go their way. Thus, they have lost control and are likely to be one of the two teams to face relegation.  

Peshawar Zalmi, Peshawar Zalmi During PSL 5, Peshwar Zalmi
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Rain might also not worry the Zalmis however, they play their remaining two games against the red hot favorites i.e. Multan Sultans and the inform Lahore Qalandars and thus, they need to play really well and win at least one more game to assure qualification.

Lahore Qalandars Peaking At The Right Time

Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi And Islamabad United
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As sad as it sounds, we have all grown used to watching the Lahore Qalandars missing out on the playoffs and we pretty much expected the same this year i.e. before Ben Dunk arrived to the party. So, Qalandars then have peaked at the right time and are in need of winning two games from here on wards to make history and edge Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi or Islamabad United out of the tournament.

Read: Here Is Why A Bad PSL 5 Can End The International Careers Of Mohd. Amir, Ahmed Shehzad And Sharjeel Khan

So, What About Karachi Kings?

Karachi Kings, Why Karachi Kings Couldn’t Reach The PSL Final Again
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Karachi Kings should win at least two of the remaining three games that they have to play in the tournament. Still, they have played most of the tournament; even some of the games that they have lost decently. Thus, their form and the fact that none of their remaining three games is likely to be rain effected, suggests that they are likely to make it to the next round.

Sarfaraz Ahmed PSL 5
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However, it is an unpredictable game and while Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United seem to be the likely teams to miss-out on the playoffs; Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings will have to win to avoid relegation.    Â