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The group stage of the Pakistan Super League 2023 is coming close to its conclusion. Two teams, defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United, have only qualified for the playoffs so far. Multan is one win away from qualifying. But Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta have a bone to pick for that final spot. So what are there chances? Here is the PSL 2023 scenario.
For starters, we will eliminate Lahore and Islamabad from this list since they have already qualified for the next round. We will keep Multan and Peshawar in the mix and will focus more on Karachi and Quetta.
PSL 2023 Scenario: What are Multan and Peshawar’s chances?
Champions of 2021 edition, Multan Sultans are just one win away from qualifying. They have played seven matches and have won four of them. With eight points and a healthy Net Run Rate, a win will guarantee their spot for the next round. In an unlikely scenario where they lose all of their remaining three matches, they can be eliminated should both Peshawar and Quetta win their remaining games.
Peshawar Zalmi have played six games and won three and got four more games to play. They require at least two wins for confirmed qualifications in the playoffs. Their match on Tuesday, March 7, where they will play against Lahore Qalandars will be an important one. Not only their win over the Qalandars will almost confirm their path but will also eliminate the Kings in the process, leaving them and the Gladiators in a mix of a fight for the final spot.
But in an unlikely scenario where Peshawar lose all of their remaining matches and stays on six points, and with Gladiators and the Kings winning their last games, Zalmi will then be eliminated.
Also read: Will Peshawar Zalmi be able to reclaim their past glory?
PSL 2023 Scenario: Can Karachi and Quetta still qualify?
We come to the bigger question; Can Karachi and Quetta still qualify after yet another horrible season in the PSL? We will look at both of them separately.
Karachi Kings
Nine games, two wins, four points. That is the equation reads for the 2020 champions. They have their last match remaining against the Qalandars in what will be the final group match of this PSL. And it is obvious that they must win big.
But they can still be eliminated without even playing their final match. The match between Zalmi and Qalandar on Tuesday (March 7) will be crucial for Karachi. If Zalmi wins, the Kings are out. Simple as that. But if Qalandars wins over the Zalmis, the Kings still have an outside chance.
It is still not easy. Zalmi has four remaining and the Kings need them to lose all. Any one win from Zalmi in their remaining four will automatically result in Karachi’s elimination. This means that Zalmi losing all their games while making sure the Gladiators also lose at least one game will give the Kings a real chance to fight.
All eyes are on Zalmi’s games. Should such happen, it will be two seasons straight for the Kings to be out of PSL in this manner. It has earned a lot of criticisms, including one coming from former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja.
Quetta Gladiators
The Gladiators have a far worse time than the Kings. Ever since their title-winning campaign in 2019, the Gladiators have been eliminated from the league stage for three consecutive straight seasons. And it could be four straight if any one of the following happens;
- Quetta lose a single game
- Both Peshawar and Multan reach 10 points
Quetta, though, have a better position to qualify. With two wins in eight games, two more wins will result in them reaching eight points. And in order to qualify, their best bet will be that Peshawar loses all their remaining games to confirm their qualification.
Which teams will join Lahore and Islamabad in the playoffs? Comment below.
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