PSL 2024 Match 18, ISL vs QUE | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

The United depend quite heavily on the opening pair of Munro and Hales [X.com]

Islamabad United will face Quetta Gladiators in Match 18 of the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Saturday (March 2). The United franchise takes on the in-form Gladiators in a critical stage of the PSL 2024 league phase in Rawalpindi. 

United are desperate for a victory, having tasted a win only twice in their first five games and languishing in the bottom half of the table, unlike the Gladiators, who consolidated the second spot in the six-team PSL standings with a thrilling triumph in the last match against Karachi Kings. 

ISL vs QUE: Team Previews 

Islamabad United 

United would've been delighted with how they toppled off Kings in their previous league stage match, achieving a comprehensive win by seven wickets after restricting the opposition to a modest score of 165/5. 

It was a day when they found heroes in both departments of the game. While the experience of Imad Wasim (1/20) and the youthful exuberance of Naseem Shah (1/29) helped them dominate the proceedings in the first half, explosive opening batter Colin Munro (82) and his partner Alex Hales (47) then completed a fantastic victory for their team. 

United need to continue playing in this vein if they are to maintain the winning ways and keep progressing in the tournament ladder.

Quetta Gladiators 

The Gladiators were equally jubilant when they clinched the last-ball thriller against the Kings in the last game. Chasing 166, the former champions managed to come out unscathed despite a dramatic final over against Anwar Ali, with Sherfane Rutherford proving to be their match-winner. 

Rutherford, who hammered 15 runs needed off the last six balls, ended the contest with a terrific half-century (58) off just 31 balls. The West Indies assaulter rallied on the momentum and foundation provided to the chase by aggressive England opener Jason Roy, with his knock of 52 off 31 balls. 

Earlier in the game, fruitful spells from Abrar Ahmed (3/31), Usman Tariq (2/16) and Akeal Hosein (2/34). The trio covered for the expensive Sohail Khan (0/36) and Mohammad Wasim Jr (1/46) and set up the chase nicely for their batting unit. 

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ISL vs QUE: Match Details & Live Streaming 

ISL vs QUE: Rawalpindi Pitch Report

Historically, the ground in Rawalpindi has offered nip and seam movement for the pacers. However, the pitch will likely be flat for the PSL 2024 league stage clash as the curators curb the pitch's natural characteristics to allow for a high-scoring fixture that entertains the packed crowd coming in for the United and Gladiators encounter. 

ISL vs QUE: Probable Playing XIs

Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Jordan Cox, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Rumman Raees

Quetta Gladiators: Jason Roy, Saud Shakeel, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw (c), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sohail Khan, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed

ISL vs QUE: Fantoss Fantasy Tips

ISL vs QUE: Winner Prediction

The Gladiators have been in superior form for the tournament heading into their clash against the United franchise and do start off this game as slight favourites. 

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