Gladiators look to continue winning run against Sultans

LAHORE: The 18th match of the 2025 Pakistan Super League is a crucial encounter for bottom-placed Multan Sultans whi face the resurgent Quetta Gladiators in what could be a pivotal outcome for both teams' playoff aspirations.

Multan Sultans with one win and five losses, find the former champions in an unfamiliar territory at the bottom of the points table with just one win from six matches. Their latest setback came against Lahore Qalandars, where despite posting a competitive 185/3 thanks to Mohammad Rizwan's 76 and Kamran Ghulam's quickfire 52, their bowling unit failed to defend the total, highlighting their consistent struggles throughout the tournament.

Quetta Gladiators having three wins and two losses, have hit their stride with back-to-back victories, placing them third on the points table. Their comprehensive 64-run demolition of Peshawar Zalmi in their previous outing showcased both batting depth and bowling prowess. With the top five batters all contributing meaningful scores and Faheem Ashraf's devastating 5/33 leading a disciplined bowling performance, Quetta enter this contest with momentum firmly on their side.

Desperate to turn their season around, Multan are likely to shake up their playing XI, particularly addressing their bowling department's shortcomings. Strategic changes could see alterations in their bowling combination and batting order as they search for a winning formula.

With a well-balanced side showing form across all departments, Quetta are expected to maintain continuity with minimal changes to their winning combination. Their settled lineup has been delivering consistent performances with multiple players contributing in recent matches.

Mohammad Rizwan and Kamran Ghulam of the late are the players in Multan Sultans lineup whose performance is crucial for their team’s win. Rizwan, the captain continues to lead from the front with the bat and will be carrying to Multan's chances while Kamran Ghulam, fresh off a half-century, his middle-order contributions have been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing campaign.

In Quetta Gladiators camp, Faheem Ashraf, coming off a five-wicket haul, has the all-round capabilities provide crucial balance to his team. And the collective runs balance of their top is pivotal. With all of Quetta's top five batters finding form, their batting depth presents a formidable challenge for Multan's struggling bowling unit.

The contrast in form and confidence between these two sides is clear. While Multan possess individual brilliance and championship pedigree, their collective performance has been well below par this season. Quetta's balanced lineup, with consistent contributions from both batting and bowling departments, gives them a significant edge.