Qalandars aim to continue momentum against Zalmi

LAHORE: The iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is all set to host a crucial encounter this Thursday (today) as Lahore Qalandars welcome Peshawar Zalmi for the 14th fixture of PSL 2025. With both teams positioned in the middle of the table and hungry for points, a fiercely contested battle under the lights is expected to engage the followers of the sport.

Lahore Qalandars with two wins and as many losses appear to be finding their rhythm after a mixed start to the tournament. Despite coming off a 33-run defeat to Multan Sultans, their previous back-to-back victories showcased their potential, particularly with their bowling attack starting to click. The Qalandars currently sit third on the table with a healthy net run rate of +1.095.

Peshawar Zalmi with one win and three losses, have struggled to gain momentum in this edition of the PSL. Their sole victory has been overshadowed by three defeats, including their most recent two-wicket loss to Karachi Kings. Currently positioned fourth in the standings with a concerning net run rate of -0.844, Babar Azam’s men desperately need to turn their campaign around.

Lahore Qalandars’ key performers includes Fakhar Zaman, their explosive opener who led Lahore’s batting charts with 176 runs in 4 matches, averaging 44 with a striking strike rate of 166.03.

Sikandar Raza is another player who can impact the outcome of the match. Fresh off an unbeaten 50 against Multan, the all-rounder’s form with both bat and ball makes him a crucial asset. And Rishad Hossain, is emerging as Lahore’s leading wicket-taker with 8 wickets in 3 matches at an economy of 8.50, his spin could be decisive in the middle overs.

Babar Azam, the Peshawar Zalmi captain showed glimpses of form with 46 runs against Karachi Kings and will be determined to lead from the front. Mohammad Haris, Zalmi’s leading run-scorer with 173 runs in 4 matches (average 43.25, strike rate 178.35) has been a bright spot in their campaign. And Luke Wood, after claiming 3-28 in their last match, his pace bowling could trouble Lahore’s top order.

The head-to-head record favors Peshawar Zalmi, who have won 11 of the 19 previous encounters between these sides. However, when playing in Lahore, the Qalandars hold a slight edge with 3 wins from 5 matches at this venue.

The Gaddafi Stadium pitch traditionally favors batsmen, offering true bounce and good carry. As the match progresses, spinners tend to find some assistance. With clear weather expected and pleasant evening conditions, we can anticipate a high-scoring encounter.

Batting second appears to be the preferred option at this venue, with teams chasing having a strong record of success. Both captains will likely look to field first upon winning the toss. For Lahore, this match represents an opportunity to solidify their position in the top half of the table. Their bowling attack has shown promise, but their batsmen need to convert starts into match-winning performances.

Peshawar’s campaign hangs in the balance after three defeats. Their middle order has struggled under pressure, and their spinners have failed to make an impact during the crucial middle overs. The team desperately needs their experienced players to step up.

While the overall analysis suggests Lahore Qalandars might have a slight edge given their recent form and home advantage, Peshawar’s historical dominance in this fixture makes this a genuinely difficult match to predict. What’s certain is that an entertaining battle between two teams with plenty at stake would there to be seen.

Teams (from):

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi, Daryl Mitchell, Haris Rauf, Sikandar Raza, Kusal Perera, Abdullah Shafique, Jahandad Khan, Zaman Khan, David Wiese, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali Mohammad Akhlaq, Rishad Hossain, Muhammad Naeem, Salman Ali Mirza, Tom Curran, Momin Qamar, Muhammad Azab.

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Mohammad Haris, Corbin Bosch, Mohammad Ali, Hussain Talat, Nahid Rana, Abdul Samad, Arif Yaqoob, Mehran Mumtaz, Sufyan Moqim, Max Bryant, Najibullah Zadran, Ahmed Daniyal, Alzarri Joseph, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat.