Shane Watson
Shane Watson was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2016 IPL auction Getty

Islamabad United take on Karachi Kings in the sixth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Dubai Universal Stadium on 7 February. This will be the third game in the competition for both the sides.

Where to watch

The match will start at 11.30am GMT. Live coverage of the game is available in the UK on Prime TV.

Overview

The unpredictable Pakistan Super League (PSL) continues on 7 February as Islamabad United face Karachi Kings. The former team, led by Misbah-ul-Haq are yet to win in the league, beaten comprehensively by both Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi in their first two games. They are yet to click as a team, failing with both the ball and the bat, which is surprising considering the resources at their disposal.

In Shane Watson, Andre Russell and the captain himself, the team has enough firepower to trouble bowlers. Particularly Watson, who's performance has been disappointing. The Australian all-rounder, who was picked up by The Royal Challengers Bangalore for $2.11m (£1.45m) in the IPL auction on 6 February, has scored a meager 43 runs in two innings while not contributing much with the ball. The bowling department that has been resting on Mohammad Irfan needs to step up if Islamabad are to stay in contention for a knock-out spot.

Meanwhile, Karachi Kings in the two games they have played so far have blown hot and cold. In their first game they looked unbeatable, but performed poorly in the second, something captain Shoaib Malik will look to improve. In Lendl Simmons and Shakib Al Hasan they have two batsmen who are in form, Malik too has looked in good touch so far.

On the bowling front, Mohammad Amir and Sohail Tanvir, have bowled well in patches, with the spinners providing support in the middle overs. It is these bouts of switching off during vital moments that cost them the game against Peshawar, where they lost by 8 wickets.

Prediction

Karachi Kings to win

Betting odds (oddschecker)

  • Islamabad United to win: 11/10
  • Karachi Kings to win: 10/11

Team news

Islamabad United

Possible XI: Misbah-ul-Haq (C), Shane Watson, Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Umar Amin, Sam Billings, Ashar Zaidi, Andre Russell, Imran Khalid, Saeed Ajmal, Rumman Raes.

Karachi Kings

Possible XI: Shoaib Malik (C), Lendl Simmons, Nauman Anwar, James Vince, Shakib Al Hasan, Ravi Bopara, Imad Wasim, Sohail Tanvir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saifullah Bangash, Mohammad Amir.