Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators, Pakistan Super League 2021, Today Match Prediction 02 Mar 2021

isu vs qtg Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the 12th game in the Pakistan Super League and Islamabad United would be up against the Quetta Gladiators in this game. Islamabad United suffered its first loss of the season in the last game where they went down against the Peshawar Zalmi while this has been a bad season for the Quetta Gladiators who have not been able to register a single win so far and throwing away their last game against Zalmi. 

Quetta Gladiators are staring at another poor show this season and the side is in deep trouble at the moment with three losses in a row. Their bowlers have failed to execute their game plan which is creating problems for the side. It will be interesting to see if they are able to turn this around and come up with a better show in this must-win game.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Islamabad United Preview

It was first loss of the season for Shadab Khan’s side and one that would hurt the skipper. Batting first they could only make 118 runs in the game finally losing it by 6 wickets. Shadab Khan would like his side to get over this loss and knowing that the Quetta Gladiators haven’t won a game yet look forward to moving up on the points table.  

Alex Hales is looking in great form and the side would be expecting a good start from him and Paul Stirling. Philip Salt has failed in all the games and the side would be expecting a better show from him in this game. Down the order the side would be expecting runs from Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan who have scored runs in the previous games. 

With the ball the side will need Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jr to strike with the new ball as both of them did well in the last game. Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan too bowled well and have to play an important role here considering they are the most experienced bowlers for the side. Fawad Ahmed has been expensive and a good show would be expected from him.

Islamabad United Predicted Playing XI:

Shadab Khan (c), Philip Salt (wk), Alex Hales, Paul Stirling, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Fawad Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr

Islamabad United Actual Playing XI:

Alex Hales, Iftikhar Ahmed, Paul Stirling, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Hasan Ali, Muhammad Musa, Rohail Nazir, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan

Quetta Gladiators Preview

The clock is ticking in the wrong direction for Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side. They have lost all their three games so far and must win this one to keep their hopes alive. It was an extremely poor bowling effort from them in the last game where they failed to defend 198 losing the game to Peshawar Zalmi by 3 wickets. 

Their opening combination has failed so far and the side would need a good start from Cameron Delport and Saim Ayub in this game. In the middle order the side has good strength with Faf du Plessis, Sarfaraz and Azam Khan in the side and these players have scored runs in the middle. Ben Cutting with his hitting abilities adds good strength to the side down the order. 

Their bowlers have bowled poorly so far and this has resulted in all the losses the side has suffered in the tournament. Mohammad Hasnain and Dale Steyn need to bowl tight lines with the new ball as they failed to do so in the last game. Usman Shinwari is bowling all over the place and better show would be expected from him in this game. Cutting, Mohammad Nawaz and Zahid Mahmood need to bowl tighter lines in this game.

Quetta Gladiators Predicted Playing XI:

Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Faf du Plessis, Cameron Delport, Azam Khan, Saim Ayub, Ben Cutting, Mohammad Nawaz, Zahid Mahmood, Dale Steyn, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Shinwari

Quetta Gladiators Actual Playing XI:

Ben Cutting, Faf du Plessis, Azam Khan, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Hasnain, Dale Steyn, Naseem Shah, Cameron Delport, Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Sarfraz Ahmed

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies would be clear over Karachi on March 01 and we expect another high scoring game. Batsmen are playing their strokes freely as there is nothing in this wicket for the bowlers. The side that bats first in the game would need to score more than 180 runs to feel comfortable.

Venue Details

National Stadium Karachi is a paradise for batsmen as the ball comes onto the bat nicely on this surface. Fast bowlers don’t get much of assistance from the surface and the wicket poses a big challenge for them. Spinners have done well as the ball turns and stops on the batsmen creating doubts in their minds.

Toss: To Bowl

There shouldn’t be much of doubt in the minds of both the captains at the toss. In the ten games that have been played no side has won batting first as the pitch has played well in both the innings. The side that wins the toss would definitely opt to bowl first in this game.