Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi, PSL T20 2023, Today Match Prediction 26 February 2023

lhq vs psz Match Prediction & Analysis

PSL now moves to Lahore with Qalandars and Zalmi locking horns for the first time this season. This will be the first of the 5 matches in the league stage at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore. It is also the venue for the playoffs and that should work in favour of the Lahore Qalandars.

On a flat deck in Lahore, the top-order of Qalandars can be expected to bounce back and find rhythm. Fakhar Zaman and Mirza Baig have looked good on the crease in recent outings. 

This would be a good opportunity to turn their starts into something big. The same goes for the Peshawar openers Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam. The two are key to success for Zalmi. Peshawar’s batting was inconsistent and failed to make a big impact on a batting-friendly pitch in Karachi.

With Shaheen Afridi leading the bowling attack for the home team, Qalandars are all set to pose a tough challenge to an inconsistent Peshawar.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Lahore Qalandars Preview

Shaheen Afridi will be happy to see his team bounce back quickly after their loss against Karachi. Qalandars were bowled out for 118 runs while chasing 186 against the Kings in Karachi.

In the very next game, without a single score of 50 or more, Lahore Qalandars managed to post 198 runs batting first against Quetta. Afridi and Wiese bagged 3 wickets each to secure a 63-run win at the same venue. 

The venue for this match in Lahore is known for assisting the batters and offering no help to the bowlers. As such, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi need to bring their experience to the game. 

Rauf is one of the most likely players to be expensive but with the kind of experience these two have, they would figure out a way to stay on top of the game. Fakhar Zaman would continue his aggressive approach to batting in the top order while the real strength of Qalandars’ lineup lies in the middle order.

The likes of Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, and David Wiese add depth to this batting order. Qalandars need a few good knocks at the top from Zaman, Baig, and Hope and the lower order would propel them to a big total.

Lahore Qalandars Predicted Playing XI:

Fakhar Zaman, Mirza Tahir Baig, Shai Hope (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

Lahore Qalandars Actual Playing XI:

Abdullah Shafiq, Sikandar Raza, Fakhar Zaman, Zaman Khan, Tahir Baig, Hussain Talat, Shaheen Afridi, Sam Billings, David Wiese, Haris Rauf, Rashid Khan

Peshawar Zalmi Preview

Here’s Peshawar’s recent form - L W L W. That doesn’t reflect the actual potential of this side. Considering their squad strength, one would expect better results from Peshawar Zalmi.

However, even on a batting pitch in Karachi which is known for successful run chases, Peshawar’s batting failed to impress. Though they won two of their 3 matches in Karachi, the only time their batting flourished was in their opening game where they posted 199 runs batting first.

In their next game at the venue, Peshawar Zalmi lost 6 wickets chasing a par total of 155 runs. It was Rovman Powell and James Neesham in the middle order who rescued Zalmi from the early collapse.

There are some big names in this lineup including the openers Haris and Babar who have the potential to lead Peshawar Zalmi to a big total. 

Tom Kohler-Cadmore is a key batsman in the middle order who played an impressive knock in the opening game. Dasun Shanka in the lower order can be a finisher and has played that role many times for his national side.

Wahab Riaz, James Neesham, and Usman Qadir are all key players in the bowling department. Neesham and Qadir can give breakthroughs but there is a chance of them being expensive here in Lahore.

Peshawar Zalmi Predicted Playing XI:

Mohammad Haris (wk), Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, James Neesham, Dasun Shanaka, Wahab Riaz, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Qadir, Arshad Iqbal

Peshawar Zalmi Actual Playing XI:

Babar Azam, Tom Kohler Cadmore, Saim Ayub, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Salman Irshad, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Haris, Arshad Iqbal, Rovman Powell, Saad Masood, James Neesham

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There is little to no help for the bowlers on this batting-friendly pitch at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The pacers will have a hard time finding the right lengths to bowl and are likely to go for runs in the power play. The weather is expected to be mostly sunny with a high of 28 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be the venue for this match. It will also host all playoffs including the final. The average 1st innings score at this venue is 173 runs and we reckon a match-winning total should be something over 185-190 runs.

Toss: To Bat

Teams batting first have won 19 of the 32 domestic T20 matches played at this venue. Peshawar Zalmi haven’t been in the best of form in terms of batting and it surely won’t be ideal for them to chase a total. The key batters in the Qalandars’ lineup have found their rhythm and Shaheen would likely back them to continue playing impactful knocks and set up a big total.