Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans, 1st Qualifier PSL

Lahore Qalandars' bid to extend impressive record against Multan Sultans and enter final. 

BET on this Game

Our Predictions

• Qalandars have a good head-to-head record against Sultans, with 4-1 in the last five games  
• Multan Sultans have conceded 704 runs in the last three games, at 11.7 runs per over
• Lahore Qalandars have won four out of five games played at Gaddafi Stadium this season

MATCH PREVIEW  

 
We are at the business end of the Pakistan Super League 2023. It will be a clash of the titans as the defending champions, Lahore Qalandars, take on Multan Sultans, a team setting new records with the bat. Multan Sultans come here riding on strong batting performances in the last two games. Lahore Qalandars finished on the top of the points table in the league stage, and they will look to carry this momentum forward. The Qalandars had won both the league games against the Multan Sultans, and it remains to be seen if Multan Sultans can turn the table around in this game. 

Lahore Qalandars Preview    

Shaheen Afridi will return to the side for this game. The side had an off day at the office in the last game against the Karachi Kings. They paid the price for complacency and went down by 86 runs. It will be a high-pressure contest, and Afridi would like to get the best out of his players for this game. He would want his players to draw inspiration from the two wins against the Qalandars. 

Fakhar Zaman has made 378 runs so far, and he must put runs on the board in the first five overs with Abdullah Shafique. Sam Billings can hit the ball hard, adding punch to the middle order with Sikandar Raza and Kamran Ghulam. Qalandars have depth in their batting, with David Weise, Rashid Khan, and Afridi having a range of strokes and hitting the ball to a long distance. 

Their bowlers will be aware of the batting strength the Multan Sultans have. A good start will be crucial, and Afridi must lead from the front and strike early with Zaman Khan. Rashid Khan is the key bowler for the team, and his performance may decide the course of the game. Haris Rauf, Raza, and Wiese are experienced bowlers who must bring their experience to play. 

Expected Starting XI for Lahore Qalandars  

Shaheen Afridi (c), Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Sam Billings (wk), Abdullah Shafique, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan 

Multan Sultans Preview    

Mohammad Rizwan's side won by 9 runs against the Quetta Gladiators in the last game. They set up a new record in the PSL by scoring 262 runs batting first. But the Multan Sultans' skipper will be worried about the form of his bowlers as they have conceded more than 200 runs in the last three games. He can't bank on batting alone and needs a good show from his bowlers. 

Usman Khan stole the show with a sensational knock in the last game. Rizwan has an able partner and the pair will look to deliver a solid start. Rilee Rossouw has nearly 400 runs in the season, making the middle order formidable with Tim David and Pollard. Khushdil Shah and Anwar Ali must use the long handle well in the lower middle order. 

The bowling attack has been all over the place, and they have failed to execute their plans. Anwar Ali and Khushdil Shah must bowl tight spells with the new ball for the side to challenge the Qalandars' batting. Ihsanullah has been the pick of the bowler for the side, and he will look to contain the batters. Tim David, Abbas Afridi, and Usama Mir must deliver the goods in the supporting role. 

Expected Starting XI for Multan Sultans    

Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Usman Khan, Rilee Rossouw, Kieron Pollard, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Izharulhaq Naveed, Tim David, Khushdil Shah, Anwar Ali, Ihsanullah 

TOSS: To Bat First     

Most sides choose to bowl first in T20 cricket. However, both captains would like to buck this trend. Five games at this venue have settled in favor of the sides batting first. The wicket slows down in the second half; hence, we expect the side winning the toss to bat first. 

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS  

There will be clear skies over Lahore on March 15. The surface is flat but will be on the slower side compared to the tracks we have seen at other venues. Batsmen can easily play their strokes, and bowlers must be on the money. A score above 180 runs can be difficult to chase here. 

OUR PREDICTION 

Multan Sultans come here with electrifying batting form, and the bowling attack looks completely dud. They must bowl to plan to win this game, as the Lahore Qalandars won't have mercy on their bowlers. Lahore Qalandars come here in good form and they are ahead on most sports books. They have an experienced bowling attack, which will put them slightly ahead in this contest. 

Our Prediction is for Lahore Qalandars to win