Lahore Qalandars look for improved show against Quetta Gladiators today
By our correspondent
LAHORE: In the highly anticipated Match 4 of the Pakistan
Super League 2024, the defending champions Lahore Qalandars are set to host
Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Quetta Gladiators at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium today, Monday.
Both teams are entering their second match of the tournament, with Lahore
Qalandars eager to bounce back after their opening-match loss to Islamabad
United.
The Qalandars find themselves in a challenging position
this season due to the absence of star leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who withdrew
from the tournament due to a back injury. Additionally, England all-rounder Dan
Lawrence is unavailable for the majority of the season as he is part of the
Test squad in India.
On the Quetta Gladiators' side, they will miss the
services of Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in the initial part of the
season due to national duty. Bismillah Khan has been named as Hasaranga’s
partial replacement.
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, known for high-scoring
encounters, is expected to set the stage for a thrilling battle. A par score in
Lahore is around 175, and both teams boast strong bowling attacks.
For Lahore Qalandars, Sikandar Raza emerges as a
compelling captaincy choice for this crucial encounter. Raza has been in
exceptional T20 form over the past three years, showcasing his prowess with
both bat and ball. His off-spin could prove valuable, especially against
Quetta's left-handed middle-order batsmen.
In head-to-head statistics, Lahore Qalandars hold a clear
advantage, winning 10 out of the 16 matches played against Quetta Gladiators.
The Qalandars have dominated in batting first, winning five out of six matches,
while Quetta has managed only one win under the same conditions.
Key players to watch out for in the Lahore Qalandars vs.
Quetta Gladiators match include Sikandar Raza, Zaman Khan, and Fakhar Zaman.
The match is expected to be a thrilling encounter, as Quetta, the 2019
champions, seeks to overcome recent challenges and make a statement in this
year's PSL. Rilee Rossouw takes over as Quetta’s captain, and the inclusion of
Shaun Tait in the coaching staff adds strength to their campaign. West Indian
Sherfane Rutherford and Sri Lankan Wanindu Hasaranga are expected to play
pivotal roles in enhancing Quetta's squad.
Teams from
Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdullah
Shafique, Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti, Dan Lawrence*, David Wiese, Fakhar Zaman, Haris
Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Lorcan Tucker, Mirza Tahir Baig, Mohammad Imran Jnr,
Rassie van der Dussen, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Fayyaz, Shai Hope, Sikandar
Raza and Zaman Khan, Jahandad Khan, Syed Faridoun Mahmood and Tayyab Abbas, *Dan
Lawrence is partially unavailable
Quetta Gladiators: Rilee Rossouw (c), Abrar Ahmad,
Bismillah Khan, Jason Roy, Laurie Evans, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain,
Mohammad Wasim Jr, Omair bin Yousuf, Sajjad Ali Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmad, Saud
Shakeel, Sherfane Rutherford, Sohail Khan, Umar Amin, Usman Qadir, Usman Tariq
and Will Smeed
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