In this article we preview Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars, match 15 of PSL 2021 to be played at Abu Dhabi on 9 June before making our match prediction. After playing four matches, IU are currently in 3rd position on the points table, while LQ are a rung below them in 4th position.
Contents
Match Predictions and Team Previews
Analysis
The last time he two sides met was at Lahore on 4 March 2020. Batting first in the game, IU began well with a 103-run opening stand before Luke Ronchi (48 from 31 balls) was out. But Colin Munro (87 off 59 balls, with 8 fours and 3 sixes) carried his bat through to guide his side to a score of 198/3, with assistance from Colin Ingram (29) and Asif Ali (20). For LQ, Salman Irshad, Md Faizan and Md Hafeez took a wicket each.
LQ began their chase disastrously losing Chris Lynn to the second ball of the innings. Thereafter, except for a 39-run stand for the third wicket, a regular flurry of dismissals saw the innings unravel and finally end at 127 in the 19th over. Barring Salman Butt (21), Md Hafeez (10), Ben Dunk (25) and Usman Shinwari (30), no other batsman got into double figures. For IU, Ruman Raees and Zafar Gohar took 3 wickets each, while Shadab Khan (2), Dale Steyn (1) and Akif Javed (1) accounted for the rest.
Both teams will miss their overseas players who served them well in the first leg of PSL 2021. However, we believe that IU have covered their bases well by acquiring Usman Khawaja, Colin Munro, Brendon King and Hazratullah Zazai to fill in for Stirling and Hales. By comparison, LQ have brought in Callum Ferguson and Rashid Khan in place of Joe Denly and David Wiese.
Likely XIs
Islamabad United: Khawaja, Munro, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Talat, Ahmed, F Ashraf, M Wasim, Hasan Ali, Md Musa, Gohar
Lahore Qalandars: Zaman, Akhtar, Ferguson, Hafeez, Faizan, Rashid Khan, Z Ashraf, Dunk, Afridi, Daniyal, Rauf.
IU have enjoyed an overwhelming advantage in the h2h comparison between the sides, having won the last five games on the trot.
Match Prediction
In our Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars match 15 prediction, we believe that Islamabad United will beat Lahore Qalandars when the sides meet on 9 June 2021.
Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars Betting
Bookmakers’ odds are likely to favour Islamabad United, considering their past performances against LQ and their good showing in the current season.
Summaryp>IU have a better bench strength of overseas players and that could tilt the balance between two well-matched teams this season.