As everyone is aware, we’ve reached the crucial stages of the PSL, and the first qualifier of PSL 9 is just a few hours away. By the conclusion of today’s games, we’ll know who the first finalist of PSL 9 is. The teams making it to the PSL 9 playoff this year are the Table Toppers Multan Sultans, alongside Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United, and Quetta Gladiators. Keeping up with this exciting phase, let’s dive into the history of PSL 9 playoff matches and some interesting facts and stats about these PSL playoffs.
Champions Relative to Table Ranks:
In the 8 seasons of PSL played so far, 7 times the champion team has been the one ranked either 1st or 2nd in the points table. There’s only been one instance where a team ranked number 3 managed to win the title, and that was Islamabad United in the very first season of the PSL. Since then, out of 7 times, the table toppers have won the championship 3 times, while the 2nd ranked teams have lifted the title 4 times.
Looking at this statistic, Peshawar Zalmi who was at 2nd spot on the PSL 9 points table seems, to have a strong chance, especially considering how they’ve shown remarkable improvement in both bowling and batting. They could certainly claim this year’s title. However, it’s too early to make final predictions because Multan Sultans, the table toppers, are also a strong team under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan. Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators are also in the running and looking very competitive at this point.
PSL 9 Playoff Stats: Zalmi’s Consistency vs United’s Success
If we look at the performance of all the PSL teams that made it to the playoffs in PSL 9, Peshawar Zalmi holds the record for playing the most PSL 9 playoff matches (18) in PSL history. Peshawar Zalmi is the only team that has participated in the playoff matches of every PSL so far, which is a record in itself.
However, Peshawar Zalmi’s win percentage in the playoff matches stands at 44%. In terms of win percentage in playoff matches, Islamabad United leads with a win percentage of 58%, the highest among the teams that have qualified for the playoffs of PSL 9. Following them, Quetta Gladiators have an impressive playoff win percentage of 57%. Multan Sultans have a win percentage of 43% at this stage of the PSL.
Lahore Qalandars, who were eliminated from the league stage this year, have a playoff win percentage of 67%, which is the best among all PSL teams. Unfortunately, they are not in the PSL playoffs this.
Toss Factor and Other Interesting Stats:
In the total of 32 playoff matches played in the PSL, the team batting first has won 19 times, while the team chasing has emerged victorious in 13 matches. This suggests that winning the toss and opting to bat first could be a successful strategy in these high-pressure games.
Peshawar Zalmi holds the record for the highest total scored in the PSL playoffs, while Lahore Qalandars have recorded the lowest total.
Looking at the 8-year history of the PSL, the teams that have won the championship have had at least two players among the top 5 batters and bowlers. Focusing on this interesting statistic, Multan Sultans emerge as a strong contender for the PSL 9 title, as they have two players each in the list of top 5 run-scorers and top 5 wicket-takers. Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan are among the top 5 batters, while Usama Mir and Mohammad Ali are the 1st and 2nd ranked bowlers in PSL 9.
The Key Performers Heading into the PSL Playoffs:
Peshawar Zalmi currently has 4 players in red-hot form, including Captain Babar Azam and his opening partner Saim Ayub, hard-hitter Rovman Powell, and exciting all-rounder Aamir Jamal. Zalmi’s captain, Babar Azam, is also the top scorer of the PSL 9 at the moment.
Multan Sultans also have 4 key players maintaining red-hot form, with the tournament’s double centurion Usman Khan at the top of the chart, along with Iftikhar Ahmad aka Iftimania, and explosive batter Johnson Charles. In bowling, they have the tournament’s current highest wicket-taker, Usama Mir, in Mohammad Rizwan’s arsenal.
Islamabad United has 3 players in good form, including captain Shadab Khan, who is performing well in both the bowling and batting departments, along with ever-reliable Colin Munro and powerhouse Azam Khan.
Quetta Gladiators, qualifying for the PSL playoffs for the first time since 2019, are heavily relying on 3 players. The middle-order batter turned opener Saud Shakeel, who is also among the top 5 batsmen, along with Abrar Ahmad and Akeal Hossein forming a spin duo, are doing wonders for the Gladiators.
PSL 9 Playoff Matches Schedule:
Qualifier: Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi, in Karachi on March 14, 2024 (9 PM) Eliminator 1: Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators, in Karachi on March 15, 2024 (9 PM) Eliminator 2: Winner of Eliminator 1 vs Runner-up of Qualifier, in Karachi on March 16, 2024 (9 PM) PSL Final Match: Winner of Qualifier vs Winner of Eliminator 2, in Karachi on March 18, 2024 (9 PM)
