Click here for Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings
Sunday 19th April, 10.30am
TV: Live willow/tapmad/saw
This will be Multan’s first match in less than a week. It’s fair to say that they will be worried about what has happened since their last action. Despite the defeat against Peshawar Zalmi, they remain in good position to attack the top two.
However, they now find themselves five points behind Zalmi who look unbeaten. They are one point behind Islamabad in terms of low net run rate.
There are also indications that all is not well in the Sultan camp. Steve Smith and Sahib FarhanTheir excellent opening pair was broken when Farhan refused to take a single to Smith. It was similar to how Smith had rejected Babar Azam for a single in the recent season of the Bash, which had created a controversy in the camp. Babur was eventually recalled by his country with the suggestion that the dispute had something to do with it.
However, if Sultans can keep it together for 40 overs, they will be confident of taking points against a Kings team that is fading. They have lost three matches on spin and were again without David Warner in the last match. Warner is struggling with a back injury so Reeza Hendricks has come. His talisman with the ball, Hasan Ali, has not been in his old form since contracting fever. Jason Roy has also become a hit.
Maintaining credibility amidst chaos can be the biggest bet and this is on smith 12/53.40 To make the top score for Sultans. It’s not that they need any reason to focus more, but Farhan’s exit is not as negative for them as Babar’s.
Sultans’ top batsman Steve Smith is back
Click here for Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators Odds
Sunday 19 April, 15.00
TV: Live willow/tapmad/saw
This will be the 14th consecutive match to be played in Karachi and now we are seeing signs that the square is struggling to cope with the amount of overs bowled. The first innings score has been below 155 in five of the last six matches and it would be wise to start betting on the bowlers dominating in what will be the last encounter before the tournament moves back to Lahore.
It’s no surprise that scores have been affected. There is now little or no preparation on the pitches and when watching matches on television it becomes apparent that the surfaces look worn and worn. It is unlikely to help that the pitch for this game will be the same as that used for the earlier game. It is difficult for the groundstaff to prepare two strips for one day because, essentially, players have to dive, run and slide into the square. Hessian matting is not often used to cover pitches nowadays due to safety issues.
The best way to play might be to not score any fifty 11/53.20 In the first innings. 5/16.00 is also available, but simply ticking the first dig box will make the afternoon less stressful.