PSL 2020, Match 1, Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United, Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

On head-to-head, the Gladiators have a 5-4 lead over their opponent.

Published - 19 Feb 2020, 15:30 IST | Updated - 19 Feb 2020, 15:30 IST

View : 7.7K

2 Min Read

The 2020 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to take centre-stage. Defending champions Quetta Gladiators, led by Sarfaraz Ahmed, will be locking horns with the Islamabad United at the National Stadium in Karachi on Thursday, February 20. The United are the two-time champions, having gotten their hands on the prestigious trophy in 2016 and 2018 respectively.

The Gladiators won their first title last year, after the defeats in the final in 2016 and 2017. It will also be the first when the United and Gladiators would be facing in Pakistan. The United managed to qualify for the playoffs last time around, but couldn’t make the finals. On head-to-head, the Gladiators have a 5-4 lead over their opponent. A cracker on an opener can be expected in PSL 2020.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at the National Stadium has been historically good for batting. The average score at the very venue in the last five PSL matches is 168. Out of those games, three were won by the team, batting second. The playing conditions will be hazy with the temperature around the 24 degrees Celsius mark. Humidity won’t be on the higher side with the numbers in the 10s and 20s.

Team Combination

Islamabad United

The United have a power-packed batting lineup. Luke Ronchi and Colin Munro should be opening the batting for them. The middle-order has the likes of Colin Munro and Dawid Malan. All three left-handers have been in excellent rhythm in recent times. Hussain Talat is more than a handy batsman.

Asif Ali can take any bowling attack to the cleaners. Amad Butt and Faheem Ashraf are two of the most efficient all-rounders Pakistan have in their cricket. The onus will be also be on Shadab to deliver, both as a bowler and captain. There’s also a chance for Zafar Gohar to break into the eleven.

Probable XI

Luke Ronchi (wk), Colin Munro, Dawid Malan, Colin Ingram, Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Amad Butt, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan (C), Rumman Raees, Muhammad Musa/Zafar Gohar

Quetta Gladiators

Shane Watson and Jason Roy are the likely openers with Shehzad batting at number three. Umar Akmal has been suspended by the PCB under Article 4.7.1 of the board’s Anti-Corruption Code. Anwar Ali has been roped in as his replacement. Naseem is likely to miss the first few games.

Ben Cutting and Mohammad Nawaz are the all-rounders and have tons of experience under their belt. Mohammad Hasnain is an excellent prospects. The duo will get support from the experienced Sohail Khan. A lot will also depend on how leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed delivers.

Probable XI

Shane Watson, Jason Roy, Ahmed Shehzad, Ahsan Ali/Khurram Manzoor, Sarfaraz Ahmed (C & WK), Ben Cutting, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Anwar Ali, Fawad Ahmed, Sohail Khan