PSL 2022 Team Preview: Peshawar Zalmi
Introduction
Undoubtedly, Peshawar Zalmi is the most competitive side of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). They only managed to lift the PSL trophy once but were a formidable side since season one. The fifth season, however, went woeful for Zalmi.
During the inaugural season of PSL, Zalmi qualified for playoffs but failed to claim the title. However, in the very next season, the yellow-storm made redemption.
The second edition of PSL saw many nail bitters and exciting games; however, Zalmi owned the title by thrashing Quetta in the final. Darren Sammy-men was remarkable throughout the league.
However, after the second edition, the yellow brigade qualified for the final three times and ended up losing. In 2018, 2019, and 2021 Peshawar was defeated by Quetta, Islamabad, and Multan in final.
During the 5th edition, Wahab Riaz took over Darren Sammy in the role. Sammy is currently serving the head coach duties for Peshawar Zalmi. During the last edition, Zalmi was remarkable. They had everything to win the title but luck.
Peshawar dominated the bowling attack with only pacers, while we saw other teams had mastery spinners, such as Multan’s Imran Tahir and Lahore’s Rashid Khan.
Moreover, Hazratullah Zazi was the man for Zalmi. The giant hitter of Afghanistan single-Handley made Zalmi victorious against Islamabad and Karachi in qualifier and eliminator. Zalmi is the only team to have appeared in four finals of the league. Let’s see the squad of the yellow jersey in the upcoming season of PSL.
Squad Overview
Wahab Riaz-men have a great squad all-around, a great blend of young and experienced. They surely have everything to rack up their second title in the marquee event.
The batting attack of Zalmi is packed with veteran Shoaib Malik, young and talented Haider Ali, giant openers Zazi and Kamran Akmal. Moreover, the middle-order will have the support of talismanic Liam Livingstone. Sherfane Rutherford is another name that can serve as the match-finisher for the yellow side.
The bowling side will be led by the charismatic Wahab Riaz. The left-arm pacer is having a great time as far as the T20 format is concerned. The 36-year-old collected 50+ T20 wickets in 2021, also most 4-fers in the same year. Saqib Mahmood will accompany him. Saqib will be the key for Zalmi. The right-arm pacer was impeccable in the last PSL during the Karachi leg. The addition of Ben Cutting, Arshad Iqbal, and Sameen Gul can be proved pivotal for Zalmi.
Strength
Great batting depth
Zalmi’s squad is filled with decent and reliable batters. Also, tailenders are raw hitters such as Wahab Riaz. Having a brutal opening pair, followed by Haider, Malik, Livingstone Zalmi, surely has a great batting attack.
Weakness
Spinners
Peshawar hasn’t any top-notch spinner except Usman Qadir. Zalmi has always believed in their pacers, but they might need a great one-two spinner on the pitches like Lahore.
Peshawar Zalmi Squad 2022
Wahab Riaz, Liam Livingstone, Shoaib Malik, Sherfane Rutherford, Haider Ali, Saqib Mahmood, Hussain Talat, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Hazratullah Zazai, Usman Qadir, Salman Irshad, Arshad Iqbal, Sameen Gul, Kamran Akmal, Sirajuddin, Mohammad Amir Khan, Ben Cutting, Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Umer
Peshawar Zalmi PSL schedule 2022
Jan 28: Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi
Jan 30: Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United
Feb 2: Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars
Feb 4: Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi
Feb 5: Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans
Feb 10: Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi
Feb 13: Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings
Feb 15: Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators
Feb 17: Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi
Feb 21: Lahore Qalandars vs Peshwar Zalmi
