LQ vs IU 16th Match Prediction

LQ vs IU Team Previews

Lahore Qalandars

Just like their opponents, the Lahore Qalandars too go into this contest on the back of consecutive victories and are currently third on the points table.

Lahore Qalandars put up a brilliant all-round performance in their previous outing and registered a thumping 40-run win against Peshawar Zalmi. Fakhar Zaman carried forward his excellent form this season and scored a brilliant 96 off just 45 deliveries.

He was well supported by Abdullah Shafique and Sam Billings, both of whom were playing their first match of the season. Opener Mirza Baig has lacked consistency but has shown some flashes of brilliance and it is just a matter of time before he scores a big inning. The team has plenty of depth in their batting thanks to the inclusion of all-rounders like David Weise, Sikandar Raza, and Hussain Talat.

Captain Shaheen Afridi bowled a brilliant spell in the last match, picking up a fifer and he is now the leading wicket-taker for his team. He will be supported by Zaman Khan and Haris Rauf at the start of the innings, while Rashid Khan and Sikandar Raza will handle the spin department. 

Islamabad United

Islamabad United is second on the points table, trailing the Multan Sultans by 2 points. A win here will take them to the top spot thanks to a better NRR compared to the Sultans.

Islamabad United has a strong batting line-up which has allowed them to make some big totals in this tournament. Wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan is in excellent form and is also the top run-getter for his team so far. His brilliant knock of 97 runs in just 42 deliveries was instrumental in United's mammoth 63-run win against the Quetta Gladiators in their latest outing.

The team will depend on Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Colin Munro to give the team yet another good start, while Rassie van der Dussen adds a lot of stability to the middle order thanks to his consistent batting. Asif Ali struggled a bit in his first 2 matches but finally managed to get some runs under his belt in the last match, playing a cameo of 42 runs. In the bowling department, Hasan Ali is in sublime form, picking up 3 wickets in both of his appearances so far.

He will be aided by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Faheem Ashraf, both of whom are capable of picking up quick wickets. The spinners Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan picked up 4 wickets between them in the last match and will be hoping to do the same in this game too.