Islamabad United have started their Pakistan Super League (PSL) campaign in the worst possible manner, losing two consecutive matches against Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi. Hence, Islamabad will be keen to earn their first points when they face Karachi Kings at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Islamabad have been let down by their batsmen, having scored only 128 and 121 runs in their first two matches. What makes it even surprising is they have some brilliant batsmen in their team, including Shane Watson, Sam Billings, Babar Azam and Andre Russell, who have it in them to score big at a brisk rate, but they failed as a unit.
It is not only their batsmen who have not been impressive: Their bowlers have also not made a huge impression in the competition. Mohammad Irfan, Andre Russell and others have to deliver in their third match of PSL, else it might be impossible for them to come back and challenge for the title later on with all other teams gaining confidence with each victory.
On the other hand, Karachi have had a mixed-bag PSL so far. They defeated Lahore Qalandars on Friday quite easily, but were comprehensively beaten by Quetta Gladiators on Saturday. They need to be consistent.
Karachi may not have some big names as compared to their Sunday opponents, but they have quality players who can help the team win their second match in the PSL. In Lendl Simmons, James Vince, Shoaib Malik, they have some genuine batsmen to score some quick runs.
The Kings lost their last match against Gladiators, who chased Karachi's target of 147 runs with ease. Their bowlers, such as Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Amir and the rest, could not provide them the much-needed breakthrough, which paved a way for the Gladiators to emerge triumphant.
With Amir and Tanvir in their bowling line-up, they have the much required tools trouble the Islamabad batsmen, who are yet to hit top gear. So when these two teams take to the field on Sunday, Islamabad batsmen and Karachi bowlers will have a thing or more to prove, which makes the contest even more interesting.
Teams: Islamabad United: Shane Watson, Mohammad Irfan, Brad Haddin, Sharjeel Khan, Imran Khalid, Kamran Ghulam, Umar Amin, Sam Billings Mohammad Sami, Khalid Latif, Babar Azam, Andre Russell, Misbah-ul-Haq, Samuel Badree, , Rumman Raees, Amad Butt, Saeed Ajmal, Hussain Talat Ashar Zaidi, Umar Siddiq.
Karachi Kings: Shoaib Malik, Shakib Al Hasan, Sohail Tanvir, Imad Wasim, Ravi Bopara, Lendl Simmons, , Nauman Anwar, Sohail Khan, Mir Hamza, Saifullah Bangash Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Amir, Bilawal Bhatti, James Vince, Iftikhar Ahmed Usama Mir, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shahzaib Hasan, Fawad Alam.
Where to watch live
Game 6 of the Pakistan Super League -- Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings -- is scheduled for 3:30 pm local time (5pm IST, 4:30 p.m. PKT, 11:30 a.m. GMT) start. Unfortunately there is no live TV coverage in India.
Viewers in Pakistan can watch the -- Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings live on PTV Sports, Ten Sports and Geo Super with the live streaming online option on PTV Sports Live.
OSN will broadcast the Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings live in UAE, with the match can be live streamed on OSN Play.
UK viewers can watch the Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings on Prime TV with live streaming on Prime TV Online.
Viewers from around the world can also live stream the match on Cricketgateway.
