PSL 2022: Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

The Match 12 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2022) will see Islamabad United locking horns with Lahore Qalandars at National Stadium in Karachi on Saturday, February 5. The United are currently placed at the second spot in the points table having won two of their three matches while the Qalandars occupy the third position having won both their games so far. Both teams are tied at four points each but, it is a superior net run rate that separates both sides. Islamabad had registered a convincing 43-run win over the Quetta Gladiators on Thursday.

The Lahore Qalandars, on the other hand, had got the better of Peshawar Zalmi on Wednesday by 29 runs to register their second win of the season. Therefore, with both teams equally matched as of now, taking the NRR out of the equation, it would be a mouth-watering contest to look forward to on Saturday. Should Islamabad win, they retain the second spot and if Lahore come out on top, they climb up the ladder.

Match Details: Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars, Match 12

Venue: National Stadium, Karachi

Date & Time: February 5 at 2:30 PM IST and 3:00 PM Local Time

Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network

Pitch Report:

Barring the season-opener between the defending champions Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings where the Babar Azam-led side was restricted to 124 and another one of Karachi’s fixtures against the Quetta Gladiators, there have hardly been any low-scoring affairs. However, it is to be noted that the team winning the toss and deciding to chase has not gone on to emerge victorious every time.

Any score over 175 would be difficult to chase irrespective of the dew factor and therefore, the captain winning the toss in Saturday’s match would be hoping to put runs on the board also taking into consideration of it being an afternoon game.

Average score: 161 (10 matches in PSL 2022)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 6, Lost – 4

Probable Playing XIs for Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars

Islamabad United

Paul Stirling, Alex Hales, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mubasir Khan, Azam Khan (wk), Shadab Khan (c), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Hasan Ali, Marchant de Lange

Lahore Qalandars

Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Ghulam, Ben Dunk (wk), Samit Patel, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars Head-To-Head

Matches-12, Islamabad United-8, Lahore Qalandars-3, N/R-1

Probable top performers

Probable best batter of the match: Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar Zaman finally seems to have rediscovered his lost mojo on the 22 yards and has been scoring consistently in the last couple of games. The dynamic Pakistani opener is currently the second-highest scorer in PSL 2022 having amassed 182 runs from two matches averaging 91 including a century against the 2020 winners Karachi Kings. The Lahore Qalandars would be expecting the 2017 Champions Trophy winner to fire on all cylinders against Islamabad United on Saturday.

Probable best bowler of the match: Shadab Khan

Skipper Shadab Khan has been phenomenal with the ball for Islamabad United apart from leading them from the front. The leggie has so far picked up six wickets from three games averaging 14.16 including a fifer against the Quetta Gladiators. The United would hope that the bowling all-rounder once again finds a way to contain the Lahore batters and leave them bamboozled with his leg-spin as they look to prolong their stay at the second position in the PSL 2022 points table.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.