PSL 2020, Match 9, Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators, Preview – Defending champions seek a clinical win against Shadab Khan and Co

Islamabad United is in great form in PSL 2020. They have registered back to back two wins due to which they are currently the table-toppers in the tournament. Now, they will lock horns with Quetta Gladiators in the 9th game of this edition.

It is going to be an enthralling encounter as United’s will be putting their full strength outclass their opponent in the upcoming game. They look pretty settled with all their players performing extremely well in their respective departments. In the next game, they will aim to extend their winning streak to three against the defending champions.

Quetta Gladiators won their previous encounter against Karachi Kings quite impressively by a margin of 5 wickets. They have a title to defend but there is a lack of consistency in their game in PSL 2020. And, it might affect the spirit of the team. They would be eager to attain some momentum by winning the upcoming clash against the in-form side of Islamabad United.

It is not going to be a cakewalk for the defending champions but it is not impossible as well. Their top-order that comprises of Shane Watson, Jason Roy will have to click some audacious knocks with the bat that will help their side in registering a clinical victory against the former champions.

Team Combination

Islamabad United

Luke Ronchi and Colin Munro will only open the innings for Islamabad United, who have reaped some good results for their team. Both the players have managed a total of 150 runs as openers of the team. In middle-order, they Dawid Malan (121 runs), who is in great form with the bat will look to click good knock with the bat.

The place where they need to work hard is their middle-order that has merely scored some runs. Asif Ali and Hussain Talat will have to take responsibility to muscle out some good runs. However, the team management has the option of Philip Salt, who can replace him in every respective way.

Meanwhile, their bowling looks well settled and their pace attack looks pretty on point. Muhammad Musa (5 wickets), Faheem Ashraf (5 wickets) and Amad Butt (5 wickets)  have successfully restricted the opponents. On the other hand, their spin bowling department is led by none other than their own skipper Shadab Khan. So, except middle-order, everything looks well placed in the in-form side of Islamabad United.

Playing XI: Luke Ronchi (WK), Colin Munro, Dawid Malan, Colin Ingram, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan (c), Akif Javed/Ahmed Safi Abdullah, Hussain Talat, Muhammad Musa, Amad Butt.

Quetta Gladiators

Jason Roy and Shane Watson pair cannot be replaced due to their highly qualified reputation as openers in international cricket. Even Roy has certainly played some match-winning knocks for his team whereas Shane Waston is still due to produce it with his willow. In middle-order, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Azam Khan will take the responsibility to score runs. There is a probability that team management might ask Azam to bat in the top order as he is in red hot form with the bat. He has recorded scores of 50, 5 and 44 for Gladiators.

On the other hand, their fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain has been the bowling spearhead for his team, He has grabbed seven wickets in three games for his team. It will be important for Gladiators that he replicates his form well in the upcoming game that might help them in giving a tough fight to Peshawar Zalmi. Sohail Khan (3 wickets) and Tymal Mills (3 wickets) will complement him from the other end.

One major problem with them is the poor form of young pacer Naseem Shah, who is expected to regain his prime as soon as possible. In one game player, he went wicketless and gave run at an economy rate of 5.75.

Playing XI: Shane Watson, Jason Roy, Ahmed Shehzad, Sarfaraz Ahmed (C & WK), Azam Khan, Anwar Ali, Tymal Mills, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Sohail Khan/Naseem Shah, Fawad Ahmed

The focus will be on

Azam Khan (Quetta Gladiators)

Azam Khan, the right-handed young middle-order batsman is in impressive form with the bat. He has registered scored of 50, 44 and 5 runs for his team. He has emerged as the brightest prospect for Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2020. He is expected to bolster some good runs in the next game against Islamabad United.

Dawid Malan (Islamabad United)

Dawid Malan from Islamabad United is also playing really well in PSL 2020. He is one of the biggest match-winners of the game, who can single-handedly win the match. His sublime hitting in the shorter format is unmatchable that makes him an important pick in the match. He is currently scoring runs at a strike rate of 145.78 for Islamabad United.

Head to Head

Matches played – 10 | Islamabad United won– 4 | Quetta Gladiators won – 6 | Draw – 0

Stat Attack

7 – Mohammad Hasnain is the leading wicket-taker in PSL 2020 with seven wickets.

121 – Dawid Malan is the leading run-scorer for Islamabad United in the tournament with 121 runs.

Broadcast Details

TV – DSport

Live Streaming – Cricketgateway.com

Match Timings – 7:30 pm IST and 2:00 pm GMT