LAHORE: In the second eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, the re-strengthened Islamabad United will lock horns with the home side Lahore Qalandars to book their final berth against Multan Sultans, here at Gaddafi Stadium.
Two time PSL champions United and the Qalandars will be seeking a win to secure their place in the final of the mega event. The winning side will proceed further in the tournament and will face the defending champions Sultans in the final on February 27. The losing side, however, will be crashed out of the tournament.
United, who were jolted by the injuries and unavailability of their key players have got revamped as their Irish explosive batter Paul Stirling also made his way back to the side after the inclusion of their skipper Shadab Khan and Alex Hales.
With a revamped squad and a stunning victory in the first eliminator against Peshawar Zalmi, the side will be heavily backing itself to taste an important triumph today.
The side once again can rely on their top-order as Hales and Stirling can provide a flying start, while Shadab, Azam Khan, and Faheem Ashraf can hit the ball later in the innings.
In the bowling department too, Shadab is an important asset for the champions, who is currently leading the list of top wicket-takers in this year’s PSL. Fast bowler Hasan Ali can also be proved handy after his astonishing performance in their last outing against Zalmi.
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The Qalandars, on the other hand, which suffered a frustrating defeat against Sultans in the qualifier will be looking to bounce back and seal the final spot.
The home side relies heavily on their in-form opener Fakhar Zaman, who is currently the leading run-scorer of the PSL 7. The Qalandars direly need him to chip in on the big stage since the side lost their way in the run chase against Sultans, following his dismissal.
The Qalandars’ bowling unit, however, is considered as their strength since the home side has the services of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, and Mohammad Hafeez, who has an extraordinary record against the left-handers.
HEAD TO HEAD
Matches-14, Islamabad United-9, Lahore Qalandars-5
