Islamabad United (IU) will go face to face Quetta Gladiators (QG) in Match 18 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Faheem Ashraf, who top-scored with a 24-ball 27 for Islamabad in their recent outing, will miss the game after sustaining a hand injury.
Led by Shadab Khan, Islamabad are currently sitting at third place in the points table, with three wins in five matches. In their last encounter, they lost to table toppers Lahore Qalandars by five wickets. Chasing 144, Rashid Khan (15 not out off 5) helped Lahore past the finishing line on the final delivery of the contest. Hasan Ali was the pick of the Islamabad bowlers with 2-27. None of their batters scored in excess of 30.
Quetta, on the other hand, languish at the bottom with just one win from five games. Although Sarfraz Ahmed’s men beat Multan Sultans by 22 runs before the tournament was suspended. Riding on Usman Khan’s 50-ball 81, they reached 176/7 in the first innings. They then bowled out Multan for 154. Qais Ahmad claimed 3-21, while Mohammad Hasnain and Zahid Mahmood claimed two wickets each.
When the two sides last met, Quetta posted 156/7. Sarfaraz top-scored with a 41-ball 54. In reply, Islamabad chased down the total with three overs to spare. Paul Stirling (56 off 33) rose to the occasion that night before Islamabad beat Quetta by six wickets.
Head to Head
Quetta have played Islamabad 12 times. They have won 7 and lost 5.
Probable XIs
Islamabad United: Usman Khawaja, Colin Munro, Shadab Khan (c), Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Akif Javed, Rohail Nazir (wk), Hasan Ali, Fawad Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr
Quetta Gladiators: Usman Khan, Faf du Plessis, Saim Ayub, Cameron Delport, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Azam Khan, Andre Russell, Jack Wildermuth, Mohammad Nawaz, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Hasnain
Prediction
Quetta to win the contest.