Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators are set to clash in the Eliminator 1 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Friday, 15th March at Karachi's National Bank Cricket Stadium.
Just managing to scrape through the league stage, both teams now face a crucial test to keep their PSL 2024 aspirations alive with a victory in this knockout encounter. The victor will face Peshawar Zalmi the following day.
United concluded their league stage campaign with an impressive win over table-toppers Multan Sultans. In a high-scoring battle, the United franchise emerged victorious by chasing down a formidable target of 229 in Rawalpindi.
Despite their bowling unit conceding a large number of runs, Islamabad received significant contributions from their dynamic opener Colin Munro (84) and captain Shadab Khan (54), setting up the chase effectively before lower-order players Faheem Ashraf (23) and Imad Wasim (30*) guided the team to victory.
In contrast, the Gladiators failed to produce a notable performance against the Sultans, suffering a substantial defeat by a margin of 79 runs. Neither their bowlers nor their batters, led by Rilee Rossouw, could withstand the pressure from the opposition.
Apart from left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein (0/26) and batter Omair Yousuf (37), the Gladiators struggled to find positives from the match. They must turn things around if they hope to change their fortunes in this crucial knockout match against Islamabad.
Pitch Report
The wicket has favoured the bowlers thus far at the National Bank Cricket Stadium in Karachi, and it is expected to remain the same in Eliminator 1.
Probable Playing XIs
Islamabad United: Colin Munro, Alex Hales, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Hunain Shah, Naseem Shah, Tymal Mills
Quetta Gladiators: Jason Roy, Saud Shakeel, Rilee Rossouw (c), Khawaja Nafay, Laurie Evans (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Omair Yousuf, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq
Prediction
After securing a triumph in their previous match and carrying momentum with them, Islamabad United appear as slight favourites over the Gladiators.