Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United, PSLT20, Today Match Prediction

LHQ vs ISU Match Prediction & Analysis

Lahore Qalandars take on Islamabad United in the opening game of the PSL. Islamabad United are slightly ahead on the head to head, with 9 wins opposed to 8 wins that the Lahore men have managed. But an interesting thing coming out of the head to head is how these teams have strung a few wins together.

To put it in perspective, the honours were even at 2-2, but Islamabad took out the next six games before Lahore dug deep to somehow break their streak with a thrilling last ball win at Abu Dhabi. With the head to head (8-3) still comfortably in their favour, Islamabad United won the next game at the same venue, which many thought would bring about another spate of victories. But it wasn’t to be. Lahore Qalandars have won all their five encounters with the Islamabad men since PSL’21.

As things stand now, the head to head, at 9-8, is still slightly leaning towards the Islamabad men, but we’ve to see whether they’ll come out all guns blazing to put an end to Lahore’s 5-game winning streak.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Lahore Qalandars Preview

Lahore Qalandars, the reigning champions, are confident about another successful season. Their victory last season rested on the shoulders of left-arm pacer and captain Shaheen Afridi, dashing batsman Fakhar Zaman, and the T20 maverick Rashid Khan. However, Rashid Khan hasn’t recovered in time post his back surgery and will not be able to participate in this year’s tournament, leaving too big a void to fill in the spin bowling department.

But experienced Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza and promising young spinner Syed Faridoun, who made a lone appearance for Melbourne Stars in BBL’21, could offer some cover. The Lahore Qalandar think tank went all in on the 2024 draft, picking up some big names in the T20 circuit namely Proteas batsman Rassie van der Dussen, English all-rounder Dan Lawrence and hard-hitting Sri Lankan batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa, among others.

Their pace bowling ranks is super-strong with the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and up-and-coming pacer Zaman Khan, but the team management used the draft to beef up their pace stocks by roping in Mohammed Imran Junior. Overall, their team looks well-rounded with enough batting firepower from top to bottom, and a heavyweight bowling unit loaded with several international stars.

LHQ Over/Under betting tips

Lahore Qalandars to score over 48.5 runs in the first six overs @ 1.80 (1XBET)

The Qalandars possess a strong batting lineup with the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Rassie van der Dussen and Abdullah Shafique in good form. We are backing the Qalandars to score over 48.5 runs in the first six overs.

Fakhar Zaman to score over 26.5 runs @ 1.87 (Parimatch)

Fakhar Zaman averages over 30 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in PSL matches. The left handed batsman has scored 326 runs in the last 10 T20 matches. Given his recent form, we back Fakhar Zaman to score over 26.5 runs against Islamabad United.

Lahore Qalandars Predicted Playing XI:

Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Rassie van der Dussen, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Abbas, David Wiese, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, Syed Faridoun.

Lahore Qalandars Actual Playing XI:

Rassie van der Dussen, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, David Wiese, Zaman Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Lorcan Tucker, Salman Fayyaz

Islamabad United Preview

If one thing stood out about the Islamabad United this season, it would be their balance.

Spin twins Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim, with their prowess with the bat, add incredible depth to their batting. Globetrotting T20 franchise player Alex Hales, fresh off his BBL and ILT20 exploits, forays into the PSL with his Desert Vipers teammate Colin Munro all set to keep him company up top. Hales’ repetition precedes him, but he does tend to get a little inconsistent at times with the bat.Haider Ali, another exciting local talent, has been drafted into the squad to bolster the batting department, which also features a monstrous six hitter in Azam Khan.

The two-time champs have a strong mix of local and international talent with Naseem Shah back in the fray after a long injury layoff, and Tymal Mills and Obed McCoy all set to form a potent left-arm pace duo. Throw in the likes of Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim, and the bowling attack looks formidable with great variety and experience.

Although the squad looks complete with all bases covered, the fortunes of the United hinge on a few players and how they go about their business, namely Alex Hales, Tymal Mills and Naseem Shah.

Islamabad United Predicted Playing XI:

Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Shadab Khan, Salman Agha, Azam Khan, Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Tymal Mills, Obed McCoy.

Islamabad United Actual Playing XI:

Colin Munro, Alex Hales, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Azam Khan, Ubaid Shah, Naseem Shah, Tymal Mills, Haider Ali

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

If there was any batting paradise in the sub-continent, Lahore would be ranking right up top. With 4 scores over 200 and 2 above 190, the deck here leans towards being batting friendly, but bowlers do enjoy some assistance with seam and swing early on. There’s no rain predicted so viewers can enjoy the PSL match without worrying about rain playing spoilsport.

LHQ vs ISU Pitch Report

The ninth edition of PSL gets underway at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The home team has a solid win-loss record overall here, winning 16 and losing 8 in 24 games so far. Their record, however, doesn’t look as convincing against Islamabad United at this venue, with 3 wins and 2 losses.

LHQ vs ISU Totals Over/Under Betting Tip

The total aggregate score over 344.5 runs @ 1.93 (1XBET)

The average total aggregate score in the last three PSL matches played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore is 367 runs. Expect a flat batting track and a high-scoring game.

Toss: To Bat

Last season, winning the toss and batting first was definitely the right call statistically. 8 out of 9 matches saw the team batting first come out victorious, so captains this season might choose to bat first in a jiffy — on winning the toss.