Analysis for the match.

As we approach the end of the third week of Pakistan Super League 2023, Lahore Qalandars are all set to lock horns for the second time in this edition against Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. With both teams entering Match 16 after impressive and highly dominating wins, get to know all about the predicted playing XI, team news, weather forecast, and much more.

Having played in only 3 games in the 2023 edition of PSL so far, Lahore Qalandars are placed third in the points table after winning 2 of their games. Being at 4 points, a win could potentially take them to second place, behind Multan Sultans.

Islamabad United is on the backs of two consecutive wins entering Match 16. They have played in 4 games so far, and have won 3 games, being at 6 points. They are placed in the points table and another dominating win could very well take them to the top of the points table.

Must see point.

1). Lahore Qalandars have won 4 of their last 5 matches against Islamabad United.

2). The Lahore Qalandars have some excellent all-rounders on their team.

3). The Lahore Qalandars have a more balanced bowling attack.

Match Prediction: LHQ to win the match.

1). If LHQ won the toss and opted to bowl first, ISU could score 150-170 runs.

2). If ISU won the toss and opted to bowl first, LHQ could score 165-185 runs.

Secondary Predictions.

1). Fakhar Zaman total runs - over 29.5 runs.

Provided the experience of Fakhar Zaman and the form he has recently been in, we predict him to score over 29.5 runs in Match 16.

2). Shaheen Afridi total Wickets - Over 1.5 

Shaheen Shah Afridi has been an excellent asset for the Lahore Qalandars ever since his inclusion in the team in 2018. He has picked up 10 wickets in 4 matches so far this season, including 5-40 on this very ground in the last match. With the Gaddafi Stadium being the home ground for the Qalandars, Afridi is well poised to exploit the conditions to his advantage and that is why we are backing him to take over 1.5 wickets for his team here.

3). Azam Khan total runs - Over 24.5 runs.

Islamabad United witnessed the rise of Azam Khan in their previous game against Quetta Gladiators as the wicketkeeper/batsman smashed 97 runs at a strike rate of 230.

Match Preview.

Just like their opponents, the Lahore Qalandars too go into this contest on the back of consecutive victories and are currently third on the points table.

Lahore Qalandars put up a brilliant all-round performance in their previous outing and registered a thumping 40-run win against Peshawar Zalmi. Fakhar Zaman carried forward his excellent form this season and scored a brilliant 96 off just 45 deliveries.

He was well supported by Abdullah Shafique and Sam Billings, both of whom were playing their first match of the season. Opener Mirza Baig has lacked consistency but has shown some flashes of brilliance and it is just a matter of time before he scores a big inning. The team has plenty of depth in their batting thanks to the inclusion of all-rounders like David Weise, Sikandar Raza, and Hussain Talat.

Captain Shaheen Afridi bowled a brilliant spell in the last match, picking up a fifer and he is now the leading wicket-taker for his team. He will be supported by Zaman Khan and Haris Rauf at the start of the innings, while Rashid Khan and Sikandar Raza will handle the spin department.

Islamabad United is second on the points table, trailing the Multan Sultans by 2 points. A win here will take them to the top spot thanks to a better NRR compared to the Sultans.

Islamabad United has a strong batting line-up which has allowed them to make some big totals in this tournament. Wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan is in excellent form and is also the top run-getter for his team so far. His brilliant knock of 97 runs in just 42 deliveries was instrumental in United's mammoth 63-run win against the Quetta Gladiators in their latest outing.

The team will depend on Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Colin Munro to give the team yet another good start, while Rassie van der Dussen adds a lot of stability to the middle order thanks to his consistent batting. Asif Ali struggled a bit in his first 2 matches but finally managed to get some runs under his belt in the last match, playing a cameo of 42 runs. In the bowling department, Hasan Ali is in sublime form, picking up 3 wickets in both of his appearances so far.

He will be aided by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Faheem Ashraf, both of whom are capable of picking up quick wickets. The spinners Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan picked up 4 wickets between them in the last match and will be hoping to do the same in this game too.

Match details.

Time - Feb 27th, 07:30 pm, IST.

Venue - Gaddafi Stadium - Lahore, Pakistan

Pitch reports.

As displayed in the last match, the pitch at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is excellent to bat on. The ball comes nicely onto the bat and the batsmen will enjoy an even bounce from the surface. While the spinners are likely to struggle here, the quicker bowlers will be able to generate good pace and get some movement off the seam.

The average first-inning score here is around 185, but the team batting first will be looking to score over 200 runs to give the bowlers a fighting chance.

Team News.

Lahore Qalandars>>

With Sam Billings and Rashid Khan both coming into the starting XI, the Qalandars have found batting as well as bowling depth and are most likely to feature the same starting XI in Match 16 as well The Lahore Qalandars are entering Match 16 on the backs of an impressive victory against Peshawar Zalmi by 40 runs in PSL 2023. 

Possible XI - Fakhar Zaman, Mirza Tahir Baig, Kamran Ghulam, Shai Hope (wk), Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

Islamabad United>>

With no injuries affecting the team, Shadab Khan will look to enter Match 16 with the same winning XI that locked horns against Quetta Gladiators in Match 13.They are on the backs of two consecutive wins entering Match 16 and another win could even take them to the top of the points table.

Possible XI - Colin Munro, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Mubasir Khan, Hasan Ali, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abrar Ahmed