Quetta take on defending champs Islamabad in PSL Qualifier-1 tonight

LAHORE: The stakes could not be higher as an unbeaten Quetta Gladiators side takes on defending champions Islamabad United in the first Qualifier of Pakistan Super League 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium here on Wednesday evening.

The winners of this high-voltage encounter will progress directly to the Sunday’s grand finale while the losing team will have another opportunity through the second Qualifier against the winners of Thursday’s Eliminator.

Quetta Gladiators have been the standout team of PSL 2025, maintaining an unblemished record with seven victories from 10 matches. Their dominance throughout the group stage saw them secure top spot on the points table with relative ease.

In stark contrast, Islamabad United’s path to the Qualifier has been a rollercoaster ride. After a blistering start to the tournament, the defending champions experienced a concerning mid-season slump, losing four consecutive matches. However, they rediscovered their championship mettle when it mattered most, crushing Karachi Kings by 79 runs in their final round-robin fixture to book their place in the Qualifier.

The head-to-head record this season heavily favours Quetta Gladiators, who have defeated Islamabad United in both their round-robin meetings. This psychological edge could prove crucial in a high-pressure knockout scenario.

Young sensation Hasan Nawaz has been a revelation for the Gladiators, amassing 317 runs at a remarkable average of 63.40. His ability to anchor innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate has been central to Quetta’s success.

Experienced South African Rilee Rossouw has complemented Nawaz perfectly, contributing 234 runs at an average of 39.00. Captain Saud Shakeel, who has been deployed as an opener following the league’s resumption, will be expected to provide solid starts alongside Khawaja Nafay.

In the bowling department, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has been their most strong weapon, claiming 15 wickets at an average of 18.20. His mysterious variations have consistently troubled opposition batsmen throughout the tournament. Faheem Ashraf has also been impressive with the new ball, bagging 14 wickets at an economy rate that has strangled opponents in the powerplay overs.

For the defending champions, Sahibzada Farhan has been the batting linchpin, accumulating 394 runs in 10 matches at a blistering strike rate of 154.50. His remarkable consistency, highlighted by one century and two half-centuries, makes him the backbone of United’s batting unit.

England’s explosive opener Alex Hales rediscovered his devastating best in the crucial match against Karachi Kings, hammering 88 off just 39 deliveries, including eight towering sixes. If he maintains this form, Quetta’s bowlers could be in for a long evening.

Captain Shadab Khan’s all-round capabilities add tremendous balance to the side. His quickfire 42 off 19 balls against Karachi Kings demonstrated his batting prowess, while his four-wicket haul in the same match underlined his value with the ball.

The pace trio of Salman Irshad, Ben Dwarshuis, and Tymal Mills provides variety and experience to Islamabad’s bowling attack, while Imad Wasim’s economical left-arm spin could prove crucial in the middle overs.

The Gaddafi Stadium pitch has been relatively balanced throughout the tournament, offering something for both batsmen and bowlers. The average first-innings score in the ongoing PSL at this venue hovers around 160, suggesting that bowlers have generally held the upper hand.

Toss will be crucial at Gaddafi Stadium, with statistics favoring teams batting second. Both captains are expected to chase if they win the toss.

Likely teams: Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (c), Khawaja Nafay, Hasan Nawaz, Rilee Rossouw, Laurie Evans, Sherfane Rutherford, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, Khurram Shahzad, Usman Tariq.

Islamabad United: Sahibzada Farhan, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Tymal Mills, Ben Dwarshuis, Salman Irshad, Hunain Shah.