PSL 2018, Match 18: Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars – Match Predictions

It is predicted that the Qalandars will indeed lose their match against Islamabad United.

Published - 08 Mar 2018, 11:17 IST | Updated - 08 Mar 2018, 11:17 IST

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Lahore Qalandars have been a big disappointment this PSL, not only for their fans but for the tournament as a whole. With 5 losses in 5 games, their journey to the knockouts is very, very tough now. However, with a slight bit of mathematical chance, they will want to give it they’re all in the remaining games. They face Islamabad United on Thursday afternoon which, needless to say, is a must-win encounter for them.

Islamabad’s story is not the same. They didn’t have the greatest of starts in the tournament, but they have fought back really well and find themselves in top 4 now. They have won their last two games and they will want to keep that little winning streak going as they step out at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium tomorrow.

Probable nature of the pitch

It will be an abrasive pitch in Dubai as it happens to be the most number of days. The nature of the pitches in Dubai and to some extent in Sharjah as well has been one of the reasons why the PSL games haven’t proved to be as high scoring ones as the games of the other leagues do.

It should again be a low scoring game tomorrow and batting first will be an advantage because if anything, the pitch will be that bit better for batting in the first innings. Bowling second, you can just squeeze the opposition with the slow bowlers as the scoreboard pressure piles on.

Playing Combination

Islamabad United

Islamabad United used JP Duminy as an opener in the previous game and the move paid off as the South African left-hander complemented Luke Ronchi really well at the top of the order. They are more than likely to persist with the same opening pair.

Also, they slotted Hussain Talat at 3 in the last game which was another good decision as Talat has been one of the most impressive young domestic batsmen to emerge out of the tournament and he can play a key role for Islamabad if he gets enough time at the crease. The lad has got a solid technique and a fair bit of flair in his batting and is ideally suited for white ball Cricket.

However, the main concern for Islamabad at the moment is the fact that Andre Russel has been ruled out of the tournament. He was one of the most vital cogs in their line up as he was providing them that balance with his all-round abilities. They don’t have another overseas all-rounder in their squad as a like for like replacement. So they will probably play an extra bowler in the form of Steve Finn.

Predicted XI: Mohammad Sami, Misbah-ul-Haq(C), JP Duminy, Luke Ronchi, Samit Patel, Steve Finn, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf

Lahore Qalandars

Lahore Qalandars got their batting order right in the last game as they sent Fakhar Zaman to open the innings with Brendon McCullum which is what it should have been right from the start of the tournament.

And it seemed to be working too as Fakhar was off to a flyer and there was a partnership of 40 odd for the first wicket between the two dashers, but it all fell apart in a space of a few overs as the middle order absolutely crumbled under pressure and the team was bundled out for 100.

Lahore won’t want it to happen again and they can’t afford it either. They are just one loss away from getting out of contention for the knockouts and if they bat like they did the other evening, there is no way they will be able to avoid another negative result. They will have to bat much, much better and will have to provide ample support to their bowling unit which has been doing a decent job in the tournament, unlike the batters.

Predicted XI: Brendon McCullum (c), Umar Akmal, Sunil Narine, Agha Salman, Yasir Shah, Denesh Ramdin, Kyle Abbott, Aamer Yamin, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi, Sohail Akhtar