PSL 2020, Match 17, Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars, Preview – Sohail Akhtar and Co aim to impress against a dominant United side

Islamabad United have suddenly lost their plot in the tournament as they have suffered two consecutive defeats in a row. They are currently positioned at fifth spot with five points in the league table. Now, they are left with only four games before the playoffs and Islamabad United are expected to come out with some impressive performances. They have some big names in their ranks with the likes of Luke Ronchi, Colin Munro and Shadab Khan, who can single-handedly win games for their side.

Lahore Qalandars have so far struggled in the fifth edition of PSL. They have not registered a single win in their last three outings. The Qalandars squad, which comprises of players like Fakhar Zaman, Chris Lynn and Mohammad Hafeez have suffered a series of loss until now. It is high time that their players should pull off some brilliance in every respective department of the game. Otherwise, Lahore Qalandars might get knocked out from the tournament soon before they can fight for the spot in the Playoffs.

Team Combinations

Islamabad United

Islamabad United have a formidable opening pair that comprises of Colin Munro and Luke Ronchi, who has done a decent job in this edition. The former has is currently the leading run-scorer in PSL 2020 as he has muscled 194 runs in five games with the help of two fifties.

In the middle order, they have Rizwan Hussain, Colin Ingram and Shadab Khan, who have played some vital knocks with the bat. However, they are expected to come out with a joint effort other as they can’t win a match on the back of an individual’s performance. Meanwhile, for this game, they might pick Dawid Malan in the team as a replacement for out-of-form batsman Colin Ingram.

It is their bowling line-up that has not given up to the mark performances in the last couple of games. In the previous outing, their bowlers with the likes of Dale Steyn, Rumman Raees and Muhammad Musa couldn’t defend a mammoth target of 183 runs due to which their side had to suffer their third defeat in the tournament. But, the inclusion of Steyn has given a major boost to their bowling unit. And, they might come out with some brilliance in the next game against Lahore Qalandars.

Playing XI: Luke Ronchi (WK), Colin Munro, Rizwan Hussain, Colin Ingram/Dawid Malan, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan (C), Rumman Raees, Faheem Ashraf, Amad Butt, Dale Steyn, Muhammad Musa

Lahore Qalandars

PSL 2020 is turning out to be a nightmare for Lahore Qalandars as they have lost back to back three games in a row. They have suffered the series of loss due to the poor performances of their high profile players that comprise of  Chris Lynn, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez.

Lynn will play a major role with the bat in the upcoming clash. If he managed to click a good knock with the bat, then the chances of Qalandars winning the match against former PSL winners will be quite high. They are expected to come out with Fakhar Zaman and Chris Lynn as their openers followed by Mohammad Hafeez, Dane Villas and Samit Patel in the middle order.

Meanwhile, their bowling department will be handled by Shaheen Afridi, Dilbar Hussain and David Wiese. And team management might look to bring back Usman Shenwari in the team as a replacement for Maaz  Khan, who had splurged runs in the previous game over a high economy rate of 15.50.

Playing XI: Chris Lynn, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Dane Vilas (wk), Sohail Akhtar (C), Samit Patel, Faizan Khan, David Wiese, Dilbar Hussain, Usman Shinwari/Maaz Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Focus will be on

Luke Ronchi (Islamabad United)

Luke Ronchi is currently the leading run-scorer in PSL 2020. He has scored a total of 194 runs in his five outings at a strike rate of 153.45. His performance will play a crucial role in the upcoming clash against Lahore Qalandars. Moreover, in the absence of Dawid Malan from the line-up will make him a more important player in the team. There is no doubt over the fact that he is playing his role of player cum coach quite brilliantly.

Mohammad Hafeez (Lahore Qalandars)

Mohammad Hafeez has shown some glimpses of his good form with the bat and ball in the fifth edition of Pakistan Super League. He is expected to come out with some more effort in order to help his team in winning the upcoming encounter against Islamabad United. He has so far gathered 113 runs in three games. Moreover, he has a low economy rate of 7.25 in PSL 2020.

Head to Head

Matches played – 9 | Islamabad United won– 7 | Lahore Qalandars won – 2 | Draw – 0

Stat Attack

7– Faheem Ashraf has grabbed seven wickets for Islamabad United in PSL 2020

6 – Shaheen Shah Afridi has scalped six wickets in PSL 2020 for Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2020.

Broadcast Details

TV – DSport

Live Streaming – Cricketgateway.com

Match Timings – 7:30 PM IST and 3:00 PM GMT