Sultans vs Qalandars: Newcomers look to keep winning momentum

Lahore Qalandars would begin their campaign of the third edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) tonight (Friday) at Dubai International Stadium, as Brendon McCullum's side would face Shoaib Malik’s Sultans.

To start with, Lahore Qalandars would be missing on Australian power hitter Chris Lynn, who dropped out of PSL after suffering another shoulder injury. It remains to be seen, who would be replacing the hitting machine, which came as a major blow for the Qalandars.

However, the Qalandars are not short of fire power, featuring the likes of skipper Brendon McCullum, Fakhar Zaman, Umar Akmal and Sunil Narine.

In the bowling department, Pakistanis could get a chance to see U19 sensation, Shaheen Shah Afridi at the premier tournament. The youngster, alongside Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah and Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman would form the bowling battery.

“I can guarantee that we will put everything we possibly could and will try to make our fans proud,” said Qalandars skipper McCullum.

On the other hand, Multan Sultans would have the momentum on their side, playing their second game of the tournament after they crushed reigning champions Peshawar Zalmi in the opener.

“Great start to the PSL2018 and an awesome win by Multan,” said Multan Sultans Director Wasim Akram on social media.

The Sultans boost probably one of the most stable top order in the tournament, including Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara and skipper Shoiab Malik alongside Sohaib Maqsood, the duo carried their side to the line last night.

The entry of Muhammad Irfan, also brought a smile to his fans, after the giant dismissed the Zalmis opening pair in the opener. He would join with Junaid Khan and T20 specialist Sohail Tanvir.

Lahore Qalandars squad: Brendon McCullum (c), Fakhar Zaman, Umar Akmal, Dinesh Ramdin, Anton Devcich, Bilal Asif, Cameron Delport, Bilawal Bhatti, Aamer Yamin, Ghulam Mudassar, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mustafizur Rahman, Sunil Narine, Raza Hasan, Shaheen Afridi, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah

Multan Sultans squad: Shoaib Malik (c), Ahmed Shehzad, Darren Bravo, Abdullah Shafique, Saif Badar, Nicholas Pooran, Kumar Sangakkara, Sohaib Maqsood, Kashif Bhatti, Shan Masood, Thisara Perera, Mohammad Abbas, Umar Siddiq, Ross Whiteley, Imran Tahir, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Hardus Viljoen