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In the Eliminator 2 match of the Pakistan Super League 2025 , Lahore Qalandars will host Islamabad United at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Friday. This high-stakes knockout clash offers Islamabad United a second chance to reach the finals after being outclassed by Quetta Gladiators in the Qualifier. Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars are in confident mood after securing a dominant six-wicket win over Karachi Kings, thanks to stellar performances from Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman.
With both teams having split their previous two encounters, this match promises to be a thrilling contest between bat and ball. Home advantage could play a crucial role as Lahore look to seal another victory and advance into the final.
Match Details
| Match | Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars – PSL 2025 Eliminator 2 |
|---|---|
| Date | May 24, 2025 |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST / 2:30 PM GMT |
| Toss Timing | Around 7:15 PM IST |
| Weather Forecast | Clear skies, 36°C, Light Winds |
Team Preview – Islamabad United
Islamabad United comes into this must-win match with a mixed record in the ongoing PSL 2025 season. In the Qualifier, they were comprehensively defeated by Quetta Gladiators across all departments, failing to post a competitive total and struggling to take wickets. However, they still possess a strong batting lineup led by Sahibzada Farhan, who has been in excellent form—scoring 52 off 35 balls in the Qualifier. He is supported by Rassie van der Dussen and Salman Agha, who showed glimpses of brilliance with 35 and 44 respectively.
The middle order features the likes of James Neesham and Haider Ali, who can accelerate the scoring rate. Captain Shadab Khan also contributes valuable runs down the order and provides stability with his leadership.
In bowling, Salman Irshad remains their go-to pacer, having taken 2 wickets in the last game. Naseem Shah and Tymal Mills add pace and aggression, while Imad Wasim brings control with his left-arm spin. The team’s inconsistency in both batting and bowling remains a concern, but if Farhan and Agha fire together, and the bowlers maintain pressure, United can spring a surprise.
Team Preview – Lahore Qalandars
Lahore Qalandars have been one of the most consistent sides in the tournament and enter this Eliminator 2 clash with confidence after a comprehensive six-wicket win over Karachi Kings. Their batting was led by Abdullah Shafique, who smashed a blistering 65 off just 35 balls, including five sixes. Opener Fakhar Zaman provided a solid start yet again with a 28-ball 47, ensuring momentum remained with the team.
Their middle order, featuring Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Shakib Al Hasan, adds depth and experience. Kusal Perera, the wicketkeeper-batter, also chips in with handy contributions.
In bowling, Haris Rauf was the standout performer in the last game, taking 3 wickets for 35 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi, the captain, leads the attack with his swing and control, while Zaman Khan offers support with his pace. Salman Mirza adds variation in death overs.
With a balanced squad and strong home support at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Qalandars are well-placed to push for a spot in the finals. If they maintain their rhythm and avoid complacency, they should comfortably progress.
Favourite Team to Win Today
| Favourite Team | Reason |
|---|---|
| Lahore Qalandars | Lahore Qalandars come into this match with better form, having won their last three matches. Their top order is firing consistently, and their bowling unit is reliable under pressure. They also enjoy the advantage of playing at home, where they’ve historically performed well. With a more balanced side and superior depth, Lahore are firm favorites to defeat Islamabad United and book their place in the final. |
Fantasy Team XI
| Player Name | Team | Role | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | Lahore Qalandars | Opener/Batsman | Consistent opener, explosive striker, scored 47 in last match |
| Abdullah Shafique | Lahore Qalandars | Opener/Batsman | Match-winner in last game, 65 off 35 balls, aggressive style |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Islamabad United | Opener/Batsman | In-form player, scored 52 off 35 in Qualifier, key threat |
| Salman Agha | Islamabad United | Middle Order | Valuable finisher, scored 44 off 26 balls in last match |
| Shadab Khan | Islamabad United | All-Rounder | Experienced captain, bowls sharp leg-spin, contributes with the bat |
| Haris Rauf | Lahore Qalandars | Bowler | Star performer in last match, took 3 wickets, lethal early spells |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Lahore Qalandars | Bowler/Captain | Leader of the attack, swings the new ball, impactful in big games |
| Naseem Shah | Islamabad United | Bowler | Fast bowler, can create pressure during powerplay |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Lahore Qalandars | All-Rounder | Skilled spinner, handy lower-middle order batsman |
| Alex Hales | Islamabad United | Opener/Batsman | Explosive batter, dangerous if he gets set |
| Kusal Perera | Lahore Qalandars | Wicket-Keeper | Safe keeper, contributes with the bat |
Explanation:
This Fantasy XI balances both teams with an emphasis on recent performers and match-winners. Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman offer explosive starts, while bowlers like Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi are your main wicket threats. Players like Salman Agha and Shadab Khan bring all-round value, making them ideal for fantasy points.
Captain & Vice-Captain Suggestions
| Category | Player Name | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | Abdullah Shafique | Lahore Qalandars |
| Vice-Captain | Haris Rauf | Lahore Qalandars |
Abdullah Shafique was the star in the last match with a 35-ball 65 and looks in great form. As an opener, he’s likely to get enough deliveries to score big.
Haris Rauf picked up 3 wickets in the previous game and is a proven match-winner with the ball. His ability to take early wickets makes him a safe vice-captain choice.
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Teams
| Player Name | Reason |
|---|---|
| Ben Dwarshuis | Struggled in last match, expensive and didn’t take many wickets |
| Karishma Ramharack | Not part of current XI, no impact recently |
Ben Dwarshuis was too expensive in the Qualifier, conceding 31 runs in just 2 overs without much return. Karishma hasn’t played regularly and isn’t expected to feature in this match either.
Team Squads
Islamabad United Squad
- Shadab Khan (c), Alex Hales, Sahibzada Farhan, Rassie van der Dussen, Salman Agha, Haider Ali, James Neesham, Ben Dwarshuis, Salman Irshad, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Tymal Mills
Lahore Qalandars Squad
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdullah Shafique, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shakib Al Hasan, Kusal Perera (wk), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Salman Mirza, Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf
Probable Playing XI Table
| Islamabad United XI | Lahore Qalandars XI |
|---|---|
| Alex Hales | Fakhar Zaman |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Abdullah Shafique |
| Rassie van der Dussen | Bhanuka Rajapaksa |
| Salman Agha | Shakib Al Hasan |
| Shadab Khan (C) | Kusal Perera (WK) |
| Haider Ali | Asif Ali |
| James Neesham | Mohammad Naeem |
| Salman Irshad | Haris Rauf |
| Ghazi Ghori (WK) | Shaheen Shah Afridi (C) |
| Imad Wasim | Salman Mirza |
| Naseem Shah | Zaman Khan |
Pitch Report
Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore offers a flat and true pitch that assists strokeplay. Spinners may find some assistance later in the innings, but pacers dominate the powerplay and death overs. The average first-innings score has hovered around 180–190, and anything above 200 is usually difficult to chase. The surface rewards aggressive batting, especially at the top of the order.
Toss Prediction
Prediction: Toss will be won by Lahore Qalandars , who will choose to bat first .
Given Lahore’s familiarity with the conditions and the trend of chasing proving slightly harder here, the winning side will likely prefer setting a target and defending it.
Winner Prediction
Predicted Winner: Lahore Qalandars
Lahore Qalandars are in better form, have a stronger squad balance, and enjoy the advantage of playing at home. Their batting has been explosive, and their bowling has been effective under pressure. While Islamabad United have the talent to turn things around, their recent inconsistency makes them the underdogs. Expect Lahore to clinch a close win and advance to the PSL 2025 Final .
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