LAHORE: The gladiators of Quetta de Alto Flight face the defense champions of Islamabad United in the first qualifier of the HBL Pakistan Super League X here at the Gaddafi stadium on Wednesday.
Although United has won three PSL titles, in 2016, 2018 and 2024, since the League was launched in 2016, while the gladiators have secured the title only once (2019), the latter has shown a great form and consistency in the current edition to overcome the table with 15 points (seven victories, two losses, a result not) in the stage of the league of the competition of the competition of the six of the level.
In addition, the victories of Gladiators in their two games in the League stage against United mean the profile of the squad led by Saud Shakeel before the top -level shock.
The gladiators had to fight hard against United to win the first game in Lahore, they won their second duel in Rawalpindi for about 109 mass races after accumulating a record of 263. So impressive was the recent form of gadiators who won six of his last seven league games, while one against the Lahore qalandeares was washed in the Stadium of Gaddafi.
For a United in second place (12 points; six wins, four losses), they must forget the past when they enter the field today.
In contrast, United began in this edition as a true champion team winning its first five games. Then they put themselves in four games in the trot, before returning to the winning forms in Rawalpindi, where they crushed Karachi Kings for 79 races.
Talking to the media on Tuesday, Saud said his team would try to maintain his shape in the playoffs.
“We entered the playoffs stage after playing Good Crickt and we will do everything possible to maintain that impulse in this final stage of the League,” Saud said while talking to the media after his team celebrated a practice session in the Lcca Ground.
“Although there is always a margin of improvement, the priority in the stage of the playoffs is to make minimum mistakes, since there are very few possibilities of supporting errors losses.”
He said Khawaja Nafay and Hasan Nawaz had opportunities and took the most of them. “With Rilee Rossouw’s return, batting alignment has been further driven.”
Saud also said that the XI game would be decided after seeing the field on Wednesday.
The United Khan’s United Khan practiced on Tuesday, perhaps preferred to rest after playing his last game in the Rawalpindi League stage on Monday.
Mystery Spinner Abrar Ahmed, with 15 Wickts in the current edition, is a powerful weapon possessed by gladiators who are reinforced by the pacemakers Faheem Ashraf (14), Khurram Shahzad (12) and Mohammad Amir (10).
Players like Hasan Nawaz (317 races), Rossouw (234), Saud (221) and Finn Allen form a strong batting alignment.
On the other hand, United bowling attack looks a little more reliable in the presence of fast bowling players Jason Holder (15 WICKETS), Naseem Shah (nine WICKETS), Salman Irshad (five WICKETS), Ben Dwarshius (four) and hilers like Shadab (13) and IMAD Wasim (12).
United Formidable Batting Line-Up includes the best scorer of the Farhan Sahibzada League (394), Alex Hales, who replaced Colin Munro, made an 88 against Karachi Kings in the last game, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Shadab, Imad and Azam Khan.
Speaking to the media after the last match of the League on Monday, Salman said he was enjoying his time in United.
“This is my seventh PSL, I suppose. I have played many games in this league. The combination of team and the Islamabad United environment are pleasant. In addition, there was no pressure from the captain or the coach, since all our players obtained breaks [during the league stage] And I obtained equal opportunities, “the pacemaker told journalists.” Therefore, I, as a player, enjoy the games. “
Answering a question about the impact of foreign players on United’s performance, Salman said that the return of foreign professionals was certainly benefiting his team.
“[Alex] Hales played a good blow to the only game that played so far [in this edition] In addition, Van Der Dussen is there. Our foreign players are very good and valuable to the team, ”he said.
“[Moreover] We have the [team] Combination we wanted to form before the playoffs. “
EQUIPMENT (DE):
Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (Captain), Finn Allen, Rilee Rossouw, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay, Faheem Ashraf, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Amir, Usman Tariq, Danish Aziz, Abar Ahmed.
Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Captain), Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha, Azam Khan, Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Naseem Shah, Jason Holder, Ben Dwarshius, Tymal Mills, Salman Irshad, Saad Masood.
Posted in Dawn, May 21, 2025
