Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators, Pakistan Super League (PSL), Today Match Prediction 17 Feb 2019

n/a vs n/a Match Prediction & Analysis

Reigning Champions Islamabad United will be looking to get back to winning ways when they face Quetta Gladiators in the sixth game of Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Dubai on Sunday. 

In their previous match, Islamabad United suffered a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Multan Sultans. Skipper Mohammad Sami will be keen to make amends for their mistakes made in the previous game. Islamabad United will need to improve their bat and ball to get their campaign back on track.

On the other hand, Quetta Gladiators produced a clinical performance with bat and ball to beat Peshawar Zalmi in their opening game of the competition. Skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed would be hoping that side can continue their good form in this game as well.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Islamabad United Preview

Two-time PSL Champions produced an abject batting performance in their previous game against Multan Sultans. The franchise might make changes in their playing XI as Ian Bell might replace Philip Salt for this game. Salt hasn’t done much with the bat as Islamabad United will be looking towards Bell to produce runs with the bat.

Rizwan Hussain and Cameron Delport perished for low scores in the previous game against Multan Sultans. The duo will be keen to make a strong comeback in this game. Samit Patel and Asif Ali need to bat a lot higher if Islamabad United aims to put big scores on the board.

Wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi played well and notched up a half-century to see Islamabad push their score beyond 100-run mark. He scored 51 off 33 balls with the help of five sixes. Islamabad United will be hoping that Ronchi can continue his good form in this game as well.

Hussain Talat failed to make an impact with the bat against Multan Sultans and will need to take responsibility to produce consistent runs for the side in the next couple of matches. All-rounder Faheem Ashraf produced a brisk cameo at the end to see Islamabad post a paltry score of 125 runs from their 20 overs.

In the bowling department, Leg-spinner Shadab Khan was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets to his name. Pace bowler Mohammad Sami put in better performance and also picked up the wicket of Andre Russell in the previous game.

Islamabad United Predicted Playing XI:

Mohammad Sami (c), Ian Bell/Philip Salt, Luke Ronchi, Rizwan Hussain, Cameron Delport, Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Samit Patel, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Waqas Maqsood

Islamabad United Actual Playing XI:

Mohammad Sami, Luke Ronchi, Hussain Talat, Wayne Parnell, Rumman Raees, Cameron Delport, Asif Ali, Rizwan Hussain, SR Patel, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan

Quetta Gladiators Preview

Gladiators got off to a perfect start to their campaign with a six-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi in a game played in Dubai. In pursuit of 155 runs, middle-order batsman Umar Akmal was the star of the show with the bat. He produced a match-winning innings of 75 runs off 50 balls with the help of seven fours and three sixes. 

Akmal certainly showed maturity and temperament when Quetta Gladiators lost both their openers inside four overs. Gladiators will be hoping that Akmal can continue his good form for the side in the competition.

Opener Ahmed Shehzad perished for a first-ball duck in the opening game played against Peshawar Zalmi. The 27-year old will be keen to make a strong comeback in this game and put a decent score for the side against Islamabad United.

Skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed looked positive from the start and kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely to put pressure back on Peshawar Zalmi. He chipped in with 37 off 29 balls with the help of three fours and a six. Dwayne Smith also spent valuable time at the crease and produced unbeaten 11 runs off 9 balls. 

In the bowling department, left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers and finished with two wickets in the game. The pace duo of Mohammad Irfan Junior and Ghulam Mudassar bowled probing spells and did not allow Zalmi to get away with easy runs.

Quetta Gladiators Predicted Playing XI:

Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Rilee Rossouw, Shane Watson, Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad, Dwayne Smith, Mohammad Nawaz, Sohail Tanvir, Ghulam Mudassar, Mohammad Irfan Junior, Fawad Ahmed

Quetta Gladiators Actual Playing XI:

RR Rossouw, Ghulam Mudassar, SR Watson, S Tanvir, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Irfan Jnr, Fawad Ahmed, Sarfraz Ahmed, Dwayne Smith, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Nawaz

Weather Conditions

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

The pitch might offer assistance to the bowlers due to overcast conditions. The weather forecast for the game will be mostly cloudy throughout the day.

Venue

The first couple of games played in the competition have seen high-scoring contests. Islamabad United lost their previous game played at the venue.

Toss: To Bowl

Due to overcast conditions predicted for Sunday, both the teams would be keen to win the toss and bowl first. The quick bowlers will definitely get plenty of assistance from the pitch.