LAHORE: Excitement of the cricket fans boost up as the second phase of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7 is set to kick off tomorrow with the table-toppers Multan Sultans taking on the former champions – Peshawar Zalmi.

Consisting of 15 matches, the first phase of the marquee event concluded on February 7 with Quetta Gladiators defeating Lahore Qalandars in a thriller.

With the second phase set to embark from tomorrow, all six teams remain in the plea of the top-four play-off slots. The defending champions Sultans, who are comfortably sitting at the top of the points table – courtesy of their unbeaten run in Karachi – are the favourites for securing a spot in the play-offs.

The 2020 PSL champions – Karachi Kings, however, can still make their way back into the tournament despite losing all their first five matches in Lahore if their fortunes alter.

Islamabad United and the Qalandars have had a comparatively identical run in the first phase with five matches, three wins, two defeats but United’s superior run rate puts them on the second spot, while the Qalandars occupy the third.

Whereas, former champions – Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi too had a similar run in the first phase; winning two out of their first five contests. The Gladiators occupied fourth place, thanks to their stunning victory over the Qalandars in the last match of the Karachi leg.

The crushing defeat against the United is still haunting the Zalmi, as the side despite having the same points tally as the Gladiators, are in fifth place because of the inferior net run rate.

It is worth mentioning here that a total of 19 matches will be played during the second phase of the PSL 7 with each side still having five matches left to secure a spot in the play-offs.

READ: PSL 7: Teams hold practice sessions ahead of Lahore-leg