Pakistan Super League’s final match-day of the group stages commenced on Monday as Lahore Qalandars elected to bat first against Peshawar Zalmi after winning the toss.
The Qalandars have nothing to lose, but they have the fate of arch-rivals Karachi Kings (3rd with 9 points), new entrants Multan Sultans (4th with 9 points) and defending champions Peshawar Zalmi (5th with 8 points) in their grip.
Lahore might be out of the PSL, the team is one hundred percent the most significant in the competition for today. Here are the scenario’s for each team.
Peshawar Zalmi
For the defending champions, things are pretty straight forward. If they win against the Qalandars, they are through with 10 points, leaving either Karachi or Multan fall down and out.
On the other hand, if Qalandars manage to continue their win streak to four in a row, Peshawar are the one’s who will be packing bags, while the aforementioned two teams qualifying for the next round.
Multan Sultans
Multan Sultans can do nothing but pray at the moment. The debutants have used up all of their fixtures, accumulating four wins and a rain-washed draw earning them a total of 9 points.
Given Peshawar loses, Multan will qualify for the play-offs, but if vice-versa, better luck next time. The Sultans would be also be praying that Karachi loses tonight’s mega-battle against Islamabad.
Possibilities are, Karachi loses tonight and that too by a margin, the Sultans could knock Karachi off via Net Run Rate (NNR) even if Peshawar manages to win.
Karachi Kings
Karachi’s fate is more in its own hand than another team. Before stepping into the stadium to face first season winners Peshawar, they must be praying that old-foes Lahore win. That way, they are guaranteed qualification regardless of the result in their own match.
If they lose, and if Lahore loses too, Karachi would be gasping for air since NNR would come into play and only then it would be decided whether it is Karachi or Multan to have the last laugh.
Which two of the three teams do you think would qualify for the play-offs?