The 23rd match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine will witness a clash between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United.
Presently, Islamabad and Lahore hold the third and sixth positions, respectively, on the PSL points table.
In their recent PSL encounters, Lahore have secured four victories against Islamabad's one. However, United managed to break Qalandars' winning streak in the first match of PSL 9.
After facing three consecutive defeats, Islamabad bounced back by winning two of their last three matches, with the third one being a washout shared with Quetta Gladiators.
United remain in contention for a spot in the PSL playoffs, and another victory in this match could further their ambition.
Agha Salman and Shadab Khan continue to be Islamabad's leading run-scorers this season, accumulating 225 and 183 runs in six innings, respectively. Khan, coming off a match-winning innings of 80 and a three-wicket haul against Peshawar Zalmi, is in fine form.
Khan is also the top wicket-taker for United this season with nine wickets in six innings, forming a formidable partnership with fast bowler Naseem Shah, who has claimed eight wickets in six matches. The duo is expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming match.
Lahore have struggled this PSL season, failing to secure a win in six matches and sharing one washout. Their chances for the next stage of the tournament are slim, but a mathematical possibility remains if they start winning soon.
Rassie van der Dussen has been outstanding with the bat for Lahore, amassing 300 runs in six innings, including a recent century against Zalmi. Local talent Sahibzada Farhan has provided valuable support.
Shaheen Afridi, despite the added responsibility of being a bowling captain, has been impressive with nine wickets in six matches, establishing himself as one of the best left-arm fast bowlers in the tournament.
Pitch Report:
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is known for its batter-friendly pitches. Opting to bat first after winning the toss could be a strategic move, as evidenced by the high-scoring matches at this venue.
Likely Playing XIs:
Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Jordan Cox, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Rumman Raees
Lahore Qalandars: Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Rassie van der Dussen, Kamran Ghulam, Sikandar Raza, Shaheen Afridi (c), George Linde, Carlos Brathwaite, Jahandad Khan, Salman Fayyaz, Zaman Khan
Prediction:
Islamabad United is the favoured team over Lahore Qalandars, given their superior form with both bat and ball.