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

qtg vs isu Match Prediction & Analysis

Quetta Gladiators have their task cut out in PSL 2023. After 4 matches, they have just one win on the board and are at the bottom with 2 points and an NRR of -1.635. They next face-off against Islamabad United, who have taken the 2nd position in the points table with 4 points in 3 matches at an NRR of +0.284. Quetta desperately need to win this game to climb their way up the ladder.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Quetta Gladiators Preview

Quetta Gladiators are coming off a huge 63-loss against Lahore Qalandars. Chasing a target of 199, they could manage only 135-8 on a good batting wicket at the National Stadium, Karachi. Quetta’s main issue has been that their batters haven’t been consistent. There have been a few promising individual knocks, but the batting unit has failed to deliver as a whole.

Openers Martin Guptill (151 runs in 4 innings at a strike rate of 37.75) and Jason Roy (89 runs in 4 innings at a strike rate of 121.91) have given the team some good starts, but the middle-order hasn’t capitalized on that. Iftikhar Ahmed is a vital cog in Quetta’s batting but has managed 88 runs in 4 games so far at a strike rate of 122.22. His performance will be crucial for Quetta’s chances in this match.

In Naseem Shah (2 wickets in 4 innings at an economy of 7.21) and Mohammad Hasnain (6 wickets in 4 innings at an economy of 6.86), Quetta has two promising young quicks. Afghanistan leg-spinner Qais Ahmad has done a good job for them too, picking up 4 wickets in 4 games at an economy of 8.83. Odean Smith, unfortunately, has been the weak cog of this bowling lineup, leaking runs at 10.40 runs per over.

Quetta Gladiators Predicted Playing XI:

Jason Roy, Martin Guptill, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Odean Smith, Abdul Bangalzai, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Qais Ahmad

Quetta Gladiators Actual Playing XI:

Naseem Shah, Martin Guptill, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Jason Roy, Odean Smith, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Will Smeed, Aimal Khan, Mohammad Nawaz

Islamabad United Preview

After losing their second match of the season to Multan Sultans by 52 runs, Islamabad United made a strong comeback in their next one by beating Peshawar Zalmi by 6 wickets. They first restricted Peshawar to just 156-8 on a placid Karachi surface and then chased the target down in 14.5 overs. Playing his first match of the season, Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed 62 off 31 balls to make a mockery of the chase. The young Afghanistan opener has a strike rate of 153 in T20s and can be a game-changer for Islamabad at the top along with Colin Munro who has been striking it at 175 this season.

Rassie van der Dussen (122 runs in 3 matches at a strike rate of 141.86) has been a solid presence in the middle-order while Azam Khan (69 runs in 3 innings at 143.75) has been looking good.

Rumman Raees (4 wickets in 3 matches at an economy of 7.36) has been Islamabad’s most consistent bowler this season. Tom Curran has been expensive, going for an economy of 8.66, but has also scalped 3 wickets. Islamabad will also take heart from pacer Hasan Ali’s performance in the previous game against Peshawar where he ended up with figures of 3-35 after going for 17 runs in his first over.

Islamabad United Predicted Playing XI:

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

Islamabad United Actual Playing XI:

Hasan Ali, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Colin Munro, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, Mubasir Khan, Abrar Ahmad, Rassie van der Dussen, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the National Stadium in Karachi has been a batting paradise this season. The ball has come nicely to the bat from the start and there’s not been much movement for the quicks. The boundaries are short and the outfield is quick, allowing for plenty of runs to be scored. The pitch does tend to slow down a little in the second half, but it still remains true enough.

The weather in Karachi during the game will be cool and pleasant.

Venue Details

The average total batting first at the National Stadium in the PSL 2023 is 176. It comes down to 163 in the second innings. The highest total posted at the venue this season is 199-5 by Peshawar Zalmi. The team batting first in this match will be looking to set a target of around 185-195 runs.

Toss: To Bat

Batting first has paid better dividends at the National Stadium in Karachi. Out of the 7 matches played here this season, 4 have been won by the team batting first. Expect the team winning the toss to bat first.