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As the 2025 Pakistan Super League reaches its business end, Match 23 sees a thrilling clash between two strong contenders — Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators , set to take place at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on Saturday. With both teams eyeing playoff qualification, this encounter promises high-octane cricket action.
Match Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators |
| Match No. | 23 |
| Tournament | Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 |
| Venue | Gaddafi Cricket Stadium, Lahore |
| Date & Time | Saturday, 2025 – Evening (Exact TBA) |
| Live Streaming | PTV Sports, Ten Sports, Official App |
Head-to-Head Record
| Team | Wins |
|---|---|
| Islamabad United | 10 |
| Quetta Gladiators | 9 |
| No Result / Tie | 1 |
Islamabad holds a slight edge with 10 wins in 21 encounters.
Team Previews
Islamabad United Preview
After a dominant start to the tournament, Islamabad United have hit a rough patch, losing their last two games. Despite that, they still sit comfortably at the top of the points table with four wins and two losses.
Their batting lineup has been inconsistent but boasts firepower in the form of Saud Shakeel (captain) , who leads from the front with 173 runs in seven innings. Alongside him, Finn Allen , Rilee Rossouw , Kusal Mendis , and Mark Chapman offer depth and aggression.
In the bowling department, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed continues to be the standout performer with 11 wickets at an economy rate of 7.71. The pace trio of Khurram Shahzad , Mohammad Wasim Jr. , and Mohammad Zeeshan provide early breakthroughs and control in the middle overs.
However, recent performances suggest some inconsistency, especially in death bowling and finishing chases under pressure.
Quetta Gladiators Preview
Quetta Gladiators enter this match on a positive note, having won three of their last five matches and currently sitting third in the league standings. They are coming off a good run of form with all departments showing signs of improvement.
The batting unit is led by Shadab Khan , who is expected to anchor the innings alongside Sahibzada Farhan , the team’s highest run-getter with 281 runs in seven innings. Colin Munro , Andries Gous , and Agha Salman add aggression and stability.
Their bowling attack is well-balanced, featuring young gun Naseem Shah , Ben Dwarshuis , and experienced campaigners like Imad Wasim and Jason Holder . In their previous game, Naseem Shah , Riley Meredith , and Dwarshuis impressed with economical spells and timely wickets.
Quetta will aim to continue their winning momentum and capitalize on any weaknesses in United’s line-up.
Favourite to Win Today’s Match
| Team | Why? |
|---|---|
| Quetta Gladiators | Coming off better recent form (W-W-W-L-L), strong batting line-up with Sahibzada Farhan in red-hot form, and a balanced bowling attack makes them slight favorites over a struggling Islamabad side. |
Fantasy Team XI (Recommended)
| Player | Role | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Shadab Khan | All-Rounder (C) | Quetta Gladiators |
| Finn Allen | Batsman | Islamabad United |
| Rilee Rossouw | Batsman | Islamabad United |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Batsman (VC) | Quetta Gladiators |
| Andries Gous | Batsman | Quetta Gladiators |
| Kusal Mendis | Batsman | Islamabad United |
| Jason Holder | All-Rounder | Quetta Gladiators |
| Imad Wasim | All-Rounder | Quetta Gladiators |
| Abrar Ahmed | Bowler | Islamabad United |
| Naseem Shah | Bowler | Quetta Gladiators |
| Mohammad Wasim Jr. | Bowler | Islamabad United |
Explanation:
- Shadab Khan (Captain) – Valuable as an all-rounder; contributes with bat, ball, and leadership.
- Sahibzada Farhan (Vice-Captain) – Top scorer for Quetta, consistent performer.
- Include key bowlers like Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah who pick regular wickets.
- Balance with batsmen like Rossouw , Allen , and Mendis who can score quickly.
Players to Captain & Vice-Captain
| Position | Player | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | Shadab Khan | Can fetch points through batting, spin, and leadership. |
| Vice-Captain | Sahibzada Farhan | In-form opener, crucial for setting the tone. |
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Teams
| Player | Reason |
|---|---|
| Kyle Mayers | Unreliable performance, inconsistent returns with bat/ball. |
| Khurram Shehzad | Struggling with form and hasn’t made significant impact. |
Team Squads
Islamabad United Squad (Confirmed/Probable):
- Saud Shakeel (c)
- Finn Allen
- Rilee Rossouw
- Kusal Mendis
- Mark Chapman
- Hasan Nawaz
- Mohammad Wasim Jr.
- Khurram Shahzad
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- Abrar Ahmed
- Kyle Mayers
- Usama Mir
- Hafeez
- Irfan Khan
- Zaman Khan
Quetta Gladiators Squad (Confirmed/Probable):
- Shadab Khan (c)
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Colin Munro
- Andries Gous
- Agha Salman
- Azam Khan (wk)
- Haider Ali
- Imad Wasim
- Naseem Shah
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Jason Holder
- Riley Meredith
- Umar Amin
- Zahir Khan
- Qasim Akram
Pitch Report
- Stadium : Gaddafi Cricket Stadium, Lahore
- Batting Conditions : Favourable for batters, high-scoring potential.
- Pace Bowling : Good bounce and carry.
- Spin Bowling : Average turn and grip.
- Average 1st Innings Score : ~163
- Highest Total : 214 by Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars (last season)
The pitch supports stroke play, making it ideal for big totals. Batting first could prove advantageous given the clear skies and flat deck.
Toss Prediction
- Likely Decision : Bat First
- Reason : Historically, chasing teams have struggled here due to lack of dew and consistent scoring conditions.
Winner Prediction
Quetta Gladiators are predicted to win this match. Their recent form, consistency in batting, and a more balanced bowling attack give them the edge over a slightly faltering Islamabad United side. Expect a competitive contest, but Quetta looks slightly stronger heading into this fixture.
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