☰

PSL 2023: Lahore Qalandars face Islamabad United in top-of-the-table clash

The match will be played in Rawalpindi

By Web Desk

March 09, 2023

Haris Rauf (R) and Shadab Khan (L) share a light moment during a PSL 8 match — PCB

Lahore Qalandars will face Islamabad United in the top-of-the-table-clash of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight on Thursday (today) at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

Both teams currently have 12 points each, after eight matches, with Lahore at the top of the table due to a superior net run-rate.

Islamabad, who have already qualified for the playoffs, defeated Multan Sultans in their last match by two wickets after a thrilling finish. Meanwhile, Lahore, who have also booked their place in the last four, lost to Peshawar Zalmi by 35 runs in their last outing.

Tonight’s match promises to be a good contest with Lahore’s world-class bowling, which has the likes of Shaheen Afridi and Rashid Khan, taking on the explosive batting, which includes the in-form Colin Munro and the dangerous Alex Hales, of Islamabad United.

Lahore defeated Islamabad in the first match between the two sides in PSL 8 with a thumping 110-run victory on February 27 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Lahore Qalandars will attempt to become the first side to win back-to-back titles; meanwhile Islamabad United will aim to become the most successful side by lifting the trophy thrice.

The closing ceremony and final will be played on March 19 in Lahore, which will also host play-offs.

The winner will not only lift the Supernova Trophy but will also collect a cheque of Rs120m, while the runners-up will receive a cheque of Rs48m.

Squads

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Fakhar Zaman, Rashid Khan, David Wiese, Hussain Talat, Haris Rauf, Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Ahmad Daniyal, Dilbar Hussain, Kamran Ghulam, Mirza Tahir Baig, Shawaiz Irfan, Zaman Khan, Jalat Khan, Jordan Cox (wk), Ahsan Bhatti, Sam Billings (wk), Shane Dadswell.

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (c), Paul Stirling, Alex Hales, Sohaib Maqsood, Asif Ali, Rassie van der Dussen, Colin Munro, Hassan Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mubasir Khan, Tom Curran, Mohammad Waseem Jr, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Azam Khan (wk), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Zafar Gohar, Rumman Raees, Zeeshan Zameer, Hasan Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Gus Atkinson