Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi will face off in Match 20 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine on Monday evening in Rawalpindi.
Islamabad have accumulated five points from six matches, while Peshawar Zalmi sit two points ahead from an equal number of fixtures.
After their last match was abandoned without a ball being bowled, Islamabad United is eager to return to the pitch and secure another victory in this game. Despite a less favourable recent record against Peshawar Zalmi, they have a promising opportunity to emerge triumphant in this match.
Colin Munro, Alex Hales and Agha Salman are in form for Islamabad United. Salman has two unbeaten fifties so far in the tournament, the right-hander is averaging 62.66 ahead of this game. Munro continues to make runs at this level and comes into this match after hitting 71 and 82 from their last two matches.
On the other hand, Peshawar Zalmi, having appeared unbeatable in their previous three games, must now initiate a new streak of victories. Currently occupying third place in the table, they have the top two positions within their reach. Zalmi is optimistic about their prospects in this clash.
Saim Ayub, Babar Azam and Rovman Powell will be key with the bat. Powell can come to the wicket at any point of the game and the West Indian right-hander has scored 3691 runs at a strike-rate of 139.95 in this format.
Azam is in excellent form and remains as the leading run scorer in the tournament ahead of this match while Ayub is also batting with confidence.
Pitch & Weather report
As both games on Saturday witnessed no play in Rawalpindi, with the pitches remaining covered, we anticipate the surface to be slightly humid, offering the pace bowlers more assistance in this match.
No rain is forecast in Rawalpindi on Monday but it will not be a warm night. Some clear skies will be seen with cloudy conditions as well although the temperature will not be higher than 17 degrees.
Likely lineups
Islamabad United
Colin Munro, Alex Hales, Agha Salman, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Jordan Cox, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Rumman Raees
Peshawar Zalmi
Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Paul Walter, Rovman Powell, Asif Ali, Luke Wood, Naveen-ul-Haq, Arif Yaqoob, Salman Irshad
Prediction
Despite Islamabad United playing at home, Peshawar Zalmi look settled after winning three games and have a high chance of securing victory.