Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars, Pakistan Super League 2021, Today Match Prediction 18 June 2021

mls vs lhq Match Prediction & Analysis

Resurgent Multan Sultans will be looking to seal their place in the playoffs when they take on Lahore Qalandars in 28th game of 2021 PSL at Abu Dhabi.

In their previous fixture, Multan Sultans hammered Quetta Gladiators by a comprehensive margin of 110 runs, courtesy excellent performances from Shan Masood, Johnson Charles and Imran Tahir. With this result, Multan will need to atleast one game out of their remaining two fixtures to secure playoff berth this season.

On the other hand, Lahore Qalandars have struggled to deliver as unit in their last three matches. Sohail Akthar have lost three consecutive matches on the bounce and will need to come up with something special to win their final round-robin game.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Multan Sultans Preview

The side will be keen to go in with same combination that featured in the previous game against Quetta Gladiators.

Despite losing the toss against Gladiators, the opening pair of Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan got the side off to steady start with 72-run partnership.

Wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan failed to replicate his heroics from the previous fixture and perished after scoring 21 runs off 23 balls. His opening partner, Shan Masood, managed to spend time at the crease and found form with the bat.

For Multan, Shan Masood was the star of the show with the bat. Left-handed opener played exceedingly well and finished the innings with the top-score of 73 runs.

Sohail Maqsood and Rilee Rossouw will be looking to make strong comeback after perishing for low scores against Gladiators.

Coming in at no.4, West Indies batsman Johnson Charles delivered a breathtaking innings for Multan Sultans. He scored a brisk 47 runs off 24 balls with the help of five boundaries and two sixes. He was well supported by Khushdil Shah, who chipped in with unbeaten 20 runs off 18 balls.

In the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of Imran Khan, Imran Tahir and Sohail Tanvir to make crucial breakthroughs in this fixture.

Multan Sultans Predicted Playing XI:

Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), Shan Masood, Johnson Charles, Sohaib Maqsood, Rilee Rossouw, Khushdil Shah, Shahnawaz Dhani, Imran Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Blessing Muzarabani, Imran Tahir

Multan Sultans Actual Playing XI:

RR Rossouw, Imran Tahir, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Rizwan, Shahnawaz Dhani, Blessing Muzarabani, Khushdil Shah, Imran Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Johnson Charles, Shan Masood

Lahore Qalandars Preview

The franchise might bring in new players for this must-win game against Multan Sultans.

Dilbar Hussain should come in place of Ahmed Daniyal, who has conceded a lot of runs in the last couple of matches.

Shaheen Afridi will be looking to put in an improved performance after conceding 41 runs in his four overs. His partner, Haris Rauf, also had a poor outing for Qalandars and conceded ten runs an over against Karachi.

Due to splendid bowling performances from Rashid Khan and James Faulkner, Qalandars managed to restrict Kings to a score of 176 runs in their allotted 20 overs.

Chasing 177 runs for victory, openers Fakhar Zaman and Sohail Akhtar got the side off to brisk start and added 38 runs in five overs. Sohail Akhtar perished for 21 runs off 14 balls, whereas Zaman perished in the eighth over after scoring 19 runs off 26 balls.

Mohammad Hafeez managed to spend valuable time at the crease. The 40-year old scored a fluent 36 runs with the help of three boundaries and one six.

With Ben Dunk, Agha Salman and Mohammad Hafeez perishing in quick succession, Lahore Qalandars were placed in precarious situation at 92 for 5 after 14 overs.

Tim David and James Faulkner came together and put on a 58-run partnership to take the game down to the wire. David scored 34 runs off 14 balls, whereas Faulkner chipped in with 33 runs off 18 balls with the help of three sixes.

Despite efforts from Faulkner and David, Qalandars could only post 169 runs in their 20 overs and lose the game by just seven runs.

Lahore Qalandars Predicted Playing XI:

Fakhar Zaman, Sohail Akhtar (c), Mohammad Hafeez, Ben Dunk (wk), Tim David, Agha Salman, Rashid Khan, James Faulkner, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Ahmed Daniyal

Lahore Qalandars Actual Playing XI:

Mohammad Hafeez, Salman Ali Agha, Haris Rauf, Sohail Akhtar, Ahmed Daniel, Fakhar Zaman, Tim David, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, James Faulkner, Ben Dunk

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

With weather expected to be clear skies for this game, the wicket will certainly assist the spinners. The batsmen will have to adjust to the conditions to deliver big runs on this pitch

Venue Details

In the initial game played in Karachi, Multan Sultans beat Lahore Qalandars by seven wickets.

Toss: To Bat

The side that wins the toss, would be looking to bat first and post a score in excess of 175 runs. The last three matches have been won by sides batting first.