In the 18th fixture of the Pakistan Super League, Islamabad United will host Quetta Gladiators on Saturday at Pindi Cricket Stadium. Both teams have developed an intense rivalry over some time. They both have met on 18 occasions in the past and they both have 9 fixtures each.
Islamabad United are currently in the 4th spot in the point table with 2 wins and 3 losses in the league. They have maintained their net run rate of +0.108.
Quetta Gladiators are currently at the 2nd spot in the point table with three wins and a single loss. They have maintained their net run rate of +0.345.
Islamabad United are coming to play their 6th fixture of the league after scoring a win over Karachi Kings. The onus goes to the batting unit who chase down comfortably. The bowling unit had a slow start and failed to control the run rate of the opposition.
Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, and Hunain Shah picked up a single wicket each out of which Hunain Shah was the costliest bowler. Rumman Raees failed to scalp any wicket but turned out to be the costliest bowler with an economy of 11.25.
On the batting front, the top order gave a solid start to the team. Colin Munro scored 82 off 47 at a strike rate of 174.47. Alex Hales also contributed 47 off 35 balls at a strike rate of 134.29. Salman Ali Agha at number 3 scored 25 off 17 at a strike rate of 147.06.
Colin Munro, Alex Hales, and Naseem Shah are the key players in the team.
Predicted Lineup: Colin Munro, Alex Hales, Agha Salman, Hunain Shah, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Jordan Cox, Azam Khan, Rumman Raees, Naseem Shah
Quetta Gladiators are on the roll this season as they are coming out as a strong team in PSL. The Gladiators scored three consecutive wins at the start but witnessed their first loss against Multan Sultans on Sunday.
Runs will be expected from the bat of Jason Roy as he is the highest scorer in the team with 148 runs in 4 matches at an average of 37. Saud Shakeel is following him with 140 runs in 4 matches at an average of 35.
On the bowling front, Abrar Ahmed is their shining star as he is the highest wicket-taker for the team. Ahmed has scalped 7 wickets in 4 matches at an economy of 7.63. Akeal Hosein is behind him with 6 wickets in 4 matches at an economy of 7.31.
Jason Roy, Abrar Ahmad, and Akeal Hosein are the key players in the team.
Predicted Lineup: Mohammad Wasim Jr, Rilee Rossouw, Khawaja Nafay, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Jason Roy, Sherfane Rutherford, Mohammad Amir, Akeal Hosein, Abrar Ahmad, Usman Tariq
Firecrackers are expected in the Saturday fixture as both teams will try to gain an edge over each other. Islamabad United carry a weak bowling attack but they have a good lineup of batters.
The Gladiators have a weak batting attack but they have the strongest bowling attack. However, the Gladiators carry an advantage as their players have performed with consistency. We predict a win for Quetta Gladiators on Saturday.