After clinching back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, Lahore Qalandars had a dismal season last year, managing only one win in ten matches. They’ve already lost their HBL PSL X opener to Islamabad United, but they’re looking to bounce back tonight against Quetta Gladiators at Rawalpindi’s Pindi Stadium.
Quetta Gladiators are coming off a high note, having thrashed Peshawar Zalmi by 80 runs at the same venue.
Lahore Qalandars will aim to put their past struggles behind them and secure their first win of the season against a Quetta Gladiators side that’s looking confident.
It was a poor day in their PSL opener for Qalandars as they extended a pathetic batting display with their top batters failing to impress against United.
Qalandars could post just 139 on a pitch which had little bounce but was full of runs. Abdullah Shafique was the only impact player who batted with perfection scoring 38-ball 66, featuring three sixes and six fours. Sikandar Raza, the Zimbabwe’s all-rounder made a 21-ball 23 and was the only other notable batsman who was seen in fine touch.
Abdullah Shafique’s batting gives hope to Qalandars as they were direly in need of an inform top-order batsman like him in the season. Shafique was struggling in international circuit but he showed intent in the first game against United.
However, Qalandars will need a solid contribution from their key player Fakhar Zaman against Gladiators tonight. Fakhar fell for just one in the first show against United. It will not be easy for the left-hander to regain the sort of rhythm which is needed from him as he passed through tough few months due to injuries which also forced him to stay away of a handful of series and also was ruled out of the Champions Trophy after sustaining injury in the first game against New Zealand.
Qalandars have one of the best fast bowling combinations featuring skipper Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, Jahandad Khan, Zaman Khan with all-rounder David Wiese at their disposal besides spinners Sikandar Raza and Asif Afridi.
Gladiators, in contrast, were seen a much better side as they made a bright start to the event by inflicting a massive 80-run defeat on Zalmi. They rang an alarm bell for the rest of the teams showing they have the best combination this time which could put them in the driving seat in the entire journey.
The important thing in Gladiators in the first match against Zalmi was that all of their top order batters were seen in great touch and it’s very important for any team if it wants to dominate an event.
Skipper Saud Shakeel and ruthless Finn Allen set a smart foundation against Zalmi by scoring with pace during their fine half centuries. Hasan Nawaz, an emerging batting sensation, did extremely well and then Kusal Mendis batted at 250 strike-rate in the end by stitching a useful fourth-wicket unbroken partnership with Rilee Rossouw, who also was seen in sublime touch.
They also have Shoaib Malik who can play a role with his enormous experience and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and Kyle Jamieson who can also manage hits in the end.
Experienced Mohammad Amir led Gladiators bowling by removing Babar Azam (0) in his first over and it dented Zalmi’s hopes. Taking key wickets early is very important in T20 where the situation changes quickly.
Abrar would be the key against Qalandars in today’s game. He bowled extremely well in the first show against Zalmi taking four key wickets which was also his best figures in the format at any level.
Lahore Qalandars:
Abdullah shafique, asif Afridi, asif Ali, Sam Billings, Tom Curran, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Daryl Mitchell, Mohammad Azab, Mohammad Naeem, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Akhlaq, Kusal PERERA, RISHAD HOSSAIN, SHAHEEN Afridi, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Zaman Khan
Quetta Gladiators:
Faheem Ashraf, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, Rilee Rossouw, Akeal Hossou, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Haseebullah Khan, Khawaja Muhammad Nafay, Kyle Jamieson, Khurram Shahzad, Usman Tariq, Mohammad Zeeshan, Hasan Nawaz, Danish Aziz, Decis Men, Sean Abbott, Shoaib Malik
