As match 18 of the HBL PSL 10 comes to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, everyone is focused on Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans—two teams on largely divergent paths this season.
Quetta Gladiators: Momentum in their Favour
Quetta Gladiators are presently well-placed in third spot in the points table with three victories and two defeats. They are high on confidence as they come into this game following a crushing 64-run victory over Peshawar Zalmi. The batting department was in good order in that match, with strong beginnings by Finn Allen and Rilee Rossouw, as Mark Chapman was the glue at the middle order. With a good Net Run Rate of 0.140, they’re seeking to nail down their place in the top four.
In the bowling department, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has been a revelation, with 9 wickets in 5 matches. Faheem Ashraf’s four-wicket effort in the previous game brought much-needed firepower to their attack, and the pairing of Mohammad Amir and Akeal Hosein continues to mount pressure during the powerplay.
Read More: Multan Sultans React to PSL Match Rescheduling
Multan Sultans: A Season Slipping Away
For Multan Sultans, it’s the opposite. They’re stuck at the bottom of the table, having won only one of their six games and having an abysmal Net Run Rate of -1.562. They scored 185 in their last game but failed as Lahore Qalandars chased the target down with five wickets to spare.
Mohammad Rizwan continues to be the only warrior with 302 runs this season, leading the PSL run charts. Kamran Ghulam’s 52 in the previous match was an encouraging sign, but the remaining batting order has not been able to fire repeatedly. In the bowling unit, Ubaid Shah has been great with 9 wickets, but overall, Multan’s bowling has been without bite and in the face of pressure.
Players to Watch
All attention will be on Finn Allen, who’s likely to go big in the powerplay, and Usman Khan, who must deliver if Multan is to remain in the race. In the bowling department, Michael Bracewell and Khurram Shahzad might prove to be the game-changers for their sides.
Prediction
With form, momentum, and team balance in their favour, Quetta Gladiators are favourites going into this encounter. Look for them to score 185+ if they get to bat first, and beat Multan in what promises to be another disappointing night for Rizwan’s side.
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