Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators, PSL T20 2023, Today Match Prediction 05 March 2023

isu vs qtg Match Prediction & Analysis

We are in the 21st game of the Pakistan Super League 2023, and Islamabad United will take on the Quetta Gladiators. Islamabad United defeated the Karachi Kings in a high-scoring game, and the side will feel confident. The Quetta Gladiators are struggling, and they went down against the Lahore Qalandars in their last game.  

Quetta Gladiators are out of contention for a place in the next round. The batting line-up has hit a rough patch, and they need to come out of the shell. The side has lost five out of the six games it has played. Islamabad United has won four out of five games against the Gladiators in the last three seasons. It remains to be seen if the Gladiators can make a turnaround in this game. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Islamabad United Preview

Shadab Khan's side performed strongly in the last game against the Karachi Kings. Though the side bowled poorly, conceding lots of runs, the batting line-up delivered a strong performance to take the side to victory with 6 wickets in hand. Their opponents are struggling, and Khan will look to win this game and move up on the points table.  

Alex Hales and Colin Munro add to the team's batting strength and would like to set up a big opening wicket stand. Rassie van der Dussen, Faheem Ashraf, and Azam Khan did well in the middle order, and they will be confident. The side bats deep, and they will expect runs from Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, and Tom Curran.  

The side will need to improve on the bowling front. Hasan Ali and Rumman Raees must bowl tight spells with the new ball in this game. Faheem Ashraf and Tom Curran leaked runs in the last game, and they need to bowl better lines. Shadab Khan and Mubasir Khan will have to use the conditions and keep the scoring rate under check.  

Islamabad United Predicted Playing XI:

Shadab Khan (c), Colin Munro, Alex Hales, Rassie van der Dussen, Azam Khan (wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Hasan Ali, Mubasir Khan, Rumman Raees

Islamabad United Actual Playing XI:

Alex Hales, Hasan Ali, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Colin Munro, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, Mubasir Khan, Rumman Raees, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Quetta Gladiators Preview

Sarfaraz Ahmed's side has lost the plot. Poor form at the top has hurt the side, as they went down by 17 runs in the last game against the Lahore Qalandars. The top order has been inconsistent, and this is hurting the side. With little hope of making it to the next round, Sarfaraz would like his players to deliver a positive performance in the next game.  

Yasir Khan and Will Smeed got starts in the last game, but the side will expect a big stand from them. Martin Guptill has struggled with his form and needs to do well in the middle order with Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Hafeez. Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Odean Smith will have to do the big hitting down the order.  

Naseem Shah and Odean Smith must bowl tight spells with the new ball, as Islamabad United has its top order in excellent form. Naveen-ul-Haq and Hazeez have lots of experience and must use it in this game. In this game, the side will also need good spells from Mohammad Nawaz and Umaid Asif.

Quetta Gladiators Predicted Playing XI:

Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Yasir Khan, Martin Guptill, Will Smeed, Mohammad Hafeez, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Odean Smith, Umaid Asif, Naseem Shah, Naveen-ul-Haq

Quetta Gladiators Actual Playing XI:

Naveen ul Haq, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Odean Smith, Iftikhar Ahmed, Yasir Khan, Will Smeed, Umar Akmal, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Nawaz, Najibullah Zadran

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Rawalpindi will see clear skies on March 5, and we expect to see a great game of cricket. It would be a warm and humid evening. The wicket is flat, and batsmen can play their strokes without any fear on this surface. The side batting first will need 200 runs on the board to feel safe.

Venue Details

Pindi Club Ground, Rawalpindi, has a flat track and fast outfield. It is a tough venue for the fast bowlers in this game format without assistance from the surface. Batsmen can score runs easily on this surface and play on the up. Spinners get good rewards from the surface as the ball grips the surface and turns sharply.

Toss: To Bowl

In the past, we have seen the sides chasing the score emerge victorious on most occasions. The wicket is a belter, making it difficult to defend scores on this surface. The side that wins the toss would like to take advantage of this by opting to bowl first.