Lahore Qalandars vs. Islamabad United: Can Islamabad Keep Themselves Calm and Register a Win Against Lahore?

After an exciting finish to the Eliminator-1, Islamabad United would be eying to get themselves through to the Final of HBL PSL 7. There’s no doubt that the return of Alex Hales in Islamabad United’s squad has created an impact on their performance. After losing 3 games on the trot, it took courage to beat Peshawar Zalmi, who had four consecutive wins in the Lahore leg of PSL 7. Islamabad United would be feeling confident after defeating the inform Zalmi unit, which looked like favorites in the previous game. In this Eliminator-2, they would be up against Lahore Qalandars, who lost to Multan Sultans in the playoffs. The upcoming game would be a thriller of a contest, with both teams likely to win and present match-winners in the form of batsmen and bowlers in their attack.

Lahore Qalandars had a decent tournament this season, apart from a few rusty games and close encounters. After being defeated in the first playoff, Qalandars would certainly be looking to overcome their mistakes and retain their spot in the final race. However, to do so, Shaheen and his men need to perform as a unit on the match day. Considering the experienced Islamabad United has in their bowling, Lahore needs to present a decent batting order which can take Islamabad United’s bowlers to the cleaners. In the head-to-head statistics, Lahore is behind Islamabad, but in PSL 7, tables can turn anytime, and Lahore can appear as the match winners. If Fakhar Zaman and Hafeez can retain their form for the upcoming encounter, it would be a decent game with lots of action and entertainment.

• Fakhar Zaman;
• Mohammad Hafeez;
• Samit Patel;
• David Wiese;
• Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Islamabad United demonstrated great control and a sense of responsibility against Zalmi in the Eliminator-1. But the question is can they carry the momentum in the match against Qalandars, who are favorites for playing at home. Islamabad United has the likes of Alex Hales, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Asif Ali, and Hassan Ali, who are match-winners in themselves. If any one of these finds form, he can single-handedly guide Islamabad to victory. It would be important how Shadab Khan uses his bowlers against Fakhar Zaman, who is the leading run-scorer of HBL PSL 7.

• Alex Hales;
• Shadab Khan;
• Azam Khan;
• Faheem Ashraf;
• Liam Dawson.

Both teams are equally balanced for the upcoming encounter, which would be testing the nerves of both sides’ young captains. Islamabad is likely to win as they have the winning momentum after defeating Zalmi in the Eliminator-1.