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Star-studded Lahore Qalandars take on in-form Islamabad United to kick off revamped PSL 2021

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The efforts of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally borne fruit as the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which postponed in the wake of Covid-19 cases earlier this year, is all set to resume in the United Arab Emirates. The flagship tournament that became the reputation spoiler for the PCB will kick off with a clash between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United.  

The board first decided to hold the remainder of the PSL entirely in Karachi from June 1 but gave up on the repeated requests of the franchises to shift the tournament out of the country.

Then, the PCB faced some problems with the logistics throughout the latter half of May and before announcing the schedule just in time to hold the remainder of the tournament from June 09. 

All said and done, the Pakistan board is all set to kick start the PSL again. 

Talking of the teams, Islamabad are presently sitting at number three positions with six points and three wins from four matches while Lahore are following them at number four with six points and three wins from the four games that they have played. 

Both Qalandars and United are coming into this game with a win in their last respective encounters. While Lahore comprehensively defeated Karachi Kings by 6 wickets, Islamabad United thumped Quetta Gladiators by the same margin. 

Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi and opening batsman Fakhar Zaman played a crucial role in Lahore’s win. Shaheen returned with figures of 3/27 while Zaman struck a 54-ball 83. 

For Islamabad, it was Paul Stirling’s 56 off 33 and Faheem Ashraf’s 3/11 that handed them easy against Gladiators. 

Match Details

Date: June 9, 2021 (Wednesday)

Time: 8:00 PM Local/ 9:30 PM IST

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Weather Report

The temperature in the initial part of the game would be around 33 degrees Celsius but it would gradually cool down as the match progressed at night. But there is no chance of rain. 

Pitch Report

The pitch seems to have something for the batsmen. The match can be a high-scoring one but if you win the toss, elect to field first as the track can give a fair bit of advantage to the team batting second. 

Team News 

A number overseas players will be missing from the second leg of the PSL due to Covid-19 restrictions and some international fixtures clashing with the tournament. 

Lahore Qalandars

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who was picked up by the Lahore franchise will not feature in the PSL as he has opted to be a part of the Dhaka Premier League which began on May 31, 2021. 

"We have submitted a letter signed by Shakib to CCDM that says he is keen to take part in the competition for us," Tarikul Islam Tito, a top official of MSC told Cricbuzz. "He will not play in the PSL and instead opted to be part of our team in DPL,” he added. 

Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan had earlier put his County stint on hold to be a part of the remainder of the PSL. 

Islamabad United 

South Africa’s Janneman Malan will not play the PSL in Abu Dhabi as the Proteas will be taking on the West Indies during that time. 

Probable XIs

Islamabad United: Colin Munro, Rohail Nazir, Usman Khawaja, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan (captain), Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Muhammad Musa, Ali Khan

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Zeeshan Ashraf, Sohail Akhtar, Mohammad Hafeez, Muhammad Zaid Alam, James Faulkner, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Dilbar Hussain, David Wiese

Fantasy XI

Fakhar Zaman, Asif Ali, Sohail Akhtar, Colin Munro, Mohammad Hafeez (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Rashid Khan 

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