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The 26th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 will see Islamabad United host Quetta Gladiators at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, May 3, 2025 . After a recent slump in form, defending champions Islamabad United will be eager to bounce back and break their losing streak. However, they face a tough challenge in the form of Quetta Gladiators , who have been the most consistent side this season, sitting comfortably atop the points table. With both teams boasting strong lineups, this clash promises high-quality cricket on a batting-friendly pitch.
Match Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match No. | 26 |
| Date & Time | May 3, 2025 |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| Teams | Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators |
| Tournament | Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 |
| Live Broadcast | PTV Sports / Geo Super / Cricbuzz Live |
| Weather Forecast | Clear skies, 32°C, no rain interruption expected |
Team Previews
Islamabad United Preview
Islamabad United, the reigning champions, are going through a rough patch this season. Despite having a solid squad, they’ve lost three consecutive matches recently and find themselves struggling at mid-table with just 10 points from eight games. Their last match against Quetta was a heartbreaker — a two-wicket defeat despite posting a competitive 157/9.
In the batting department, Sahibzada Farhan has been their standout performer with 320 runs at an impressive strike rate of 151.65, including a century and a half-century. Colin Munro and Andres Gous have also contributed consistently. However, middle-order inconsistency remains a concern.
Their bowling unit is their biggest strength. Jason Holder leads the wickets chart with 15 scalps at an average of 15.26, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz provide crucial support. Pacers like Naseem Shah and Salman Irshad have bowled well in spells. If United can stabilize their batting lineup and get better death over performances, they still have the firepower to turn things around.
Quetta Gladiators Preview
Quetta Gladiators enter this fixture as clear favorites after winning five of their first eight matches, earning them 11 points and the top spot in the standings. They defeated Islamabad United narrowly in their previous encounter, which boosted their confidence ahead of this must-win game for the hosts.
Led by Saud Shakeel , who has scored 180 runs at a strike rate of 123.28, Quetta’s batting looks balanced. Finn Allen provides explosive starts with his strike rate of 189.02, while Hasan Nawaz continues to impress with a mix of aggression and stability. Rilee Rossouw and Mark Chapman add depth and experience to the middle order.
In bowling, Faheem Ashraf stands out with 12 wickets at an economy of 8.6, supported by Khurram Shahzad and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed , who bring variations and control. The team’s balance between bat and ball makes them dangerous on any surface. With momentum on their side and a settled lineup, Quetta will aim to continue their dominance and push closer to playoff qualification.
Favourite Team to Win Today’s Match
| Team | Why? |
|---|---|
| Quetta Gladiators | Quetta enters this match as firm favorites due to their superior form, better consistency across departments, and a more balanced playing XI. While Islamabad has quality players, their recent slump and lack of middle-order stability make it hard to bet against the in-form Gladiators. |
Fantasy Team XI
| Player | Role | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finn Allen | Batter | QTG | Explosive opener; high strike rate |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Batter | ISU | Top run-getter for United; reliable |
| Hasan Nawaz | Batter | QTG | Consistent middle-order batter |
| Saud Shakeel (c) | Batter | QTG | Captaincy pick; good form and leadership |
| Mohammad Nawaz | All-Rounder | ISU | Valuable lower-order runs + handy off-spin |
| Faheem Ashraf | All-Rounder | QTG | Key wicket-taker; economical pacer |
| Jason Holder | All-Rounder | ISU | Star all-rounder; impactful with bat and ball |
| Abrar Ahmed | Bowler | QTG | Leg-spinner with wicket-taking potential |
| Naseem Shah | Bowler | ISU | Express pace and swing options |
| Khurram Shahzad | Bowler | QTG | Dependable pacer with good control |
| Salman Irshad | Bowler | ISU | Wicket-taking threat in middle overs |
Explanation:
This fantasy XI balances batsmen in form and bowlers who can take wickets or restrict runs. Focus is on players likely to perform under pressure and contribute heavily in either department.
Captain & Vice-Captain Suggestions
| Role | Player | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | Saud Shakeel | Quetta Gladiators | Steady captain, in-form batter, reliable in crunch moments |
| Vice-Captain | Finn Allen | Quetta Gladiators | Aggressive opener with ability to score quickly |
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Teams
| Player | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Kyle Mayers | Islamabad United | Inconsistent returns and low impact recently |
| Haseebullah Khan | Quetta Gladiators | Struggling with form; hasn’t fired yet this season |
Squad Lists
Islamabad United Squad (Full List):
Shadab Khan (c), Andres Gous (wk), Sahibzada Farhan, Colin Munro, Mohammad Nawaz, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Haider Ali, Naseem Shah, Salman Agha, Salman Irshad, Usama Mir, Irfan Khan Niazi, Asif Ali, Zeeshan Zaheer
Quetta Gladiators Squad (Full List):
Saud Shakeel (c), Finn Allen, Rilee Rossouw, Hasan Nawaz, Mark Chapman, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Abrar Ahmed, Khurram Shahzad, Faheem Ashraf, Kylie Jamieson, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Zaman Khan, Aamer Yamin, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman
Probable Playing XI
Islamabad United (PPI):
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Shadab Khan (c) | All-Rounder |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Opener |
| Colin Munro | Batter |
| Andres Gous (wk) | Wicket-Keeper |
| Mohammad Nawaz | All-Rounder |
| Jason Holder | All-Rounder |
| Kyle Mayers | Batter |
| Salman Irshad | Pacer |
| Naseem Shah | Pacer |
| Salman Agha | Spinner |
| Haider Ali | Batter |
Quetta Gladiators (PPI):
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Finn Allen | Opener |
| Rilee Rossouw | Batter |
| Hasan Nawaz | Middle Order |
| Saud Shakeel (c) | Captain / Batter |
| Mark Chapman | Batter |
| Haseebullah Khan (wk) | Wicket-Keeper |
| Faheem Ashraf | All-Rounder |
| Khurram Shahzad | Pacer |
| Abrar Ahmed | Spinner |
| Kyle Jamieson | Pacer |
| Mohammad Wasim Jr. | All-Rounder |
Pitch Report – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
The Rawalpindi pitch has remained largely batting-friendly throughout PSL 2025. It offers decent pace and bounce for fast bowlers, but spinners also get some grip off the surface. Chasing totals has not been easy due to dew affecting late spells, so batting first gives a slight advantage . The average first-innings score has hovered around 155–160 , and boundaries are easily available for aggressive batters.
Toss Prediction
Prediction: Islamabad United to win the toss
Decision: Likely to bat first , given the pitch conditions and dew factor later in the night.
Winner Prediction
While Islamabad United have the talent and pedigree, their current form doesn’t match up to that of Quetta Gladiators, who look more cohesive and confident. Quetta’s balanced attack and better middle-order resilience give them the edge in this contest.
Predicted Winner: Quetta Gladiators
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