LQ vs MS Qualifier Match Prediction

LQ vs MS Team Previews

Lahore Qalandars

 

As they head into the playoffs with seven wins under their belt, Lahore Qalandars are in high spirits. This is the first time they have won so many matches in the league stage of a PSL edition, and their status as defending champions only bolsters their confidence. Qalandars were the first team to secure a playoff spot, and as the final stage of the competition takes place at the Gaddafi Stadium, they are sure to have the home advantage on their side.

 

Fakhar Zaman, who was the top scorer in their victorious campaign last year, has once again led the way with the bat. The left-hander has amassed 378 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 171.04, while Abdullah Shafique (193 at 144.02) has made some impressive contributions since joining the playing XI midway through the tournament. Overseas players Sikandar Raza (198 runs at 188.57) and Sam Billings (179 runs at 146.72) have also provided valuable firepower in the middle order.

 

Qalandars' bowling attack is equally fearsome, having helped them achieve the biggest win ever in the PSL with a 119-run victory over Islamabad United. Led by captain Shaheen Afridi (14 wickets at an average of 18.78), the pace attack of Zaman Khan (12 wickets at 22.08) and Haris Rauf (14 wickets at 23.07) is a lethal combination that can stifle the opposition's scoring options in both the powerplay and death overs. Meanwhile, Rashid Khan's cunning spin has kept batters guessing in the middle overs, as he has taken the most wickets for a spinner this season with 15 scalps at an average of only 13.

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Multan Sultans

During the first half of PSL 8, Multan Sultans dominated the points table with dominant performances at their home ground. Although they have experienced more losses than wins since moving away from Multan, Mohammad Rizwan's team takes heart from their recent achievements. Their batting successfully chased down the highest-ever PSL and joint-second highest run-chase in T20 cricket, and they also recorded the highest PSL team total of 262 in their last group match, securing the second spot on the points table.

 

Abbas Afridi (22 wickets at 14.95) and Ihsanullah (20 wickets at 14.60), two young pacers, lead the bowling charts and have taken the league by storm. They are two of the three bowlers this season to record a five-wicket haul. Abbas stepped up brilliantly in the last two matches of the Rawalpindi leg, taking nine wickets in two matches, while Ihsanullah's rapid pace and immaculate length have made it tough for batters to score. Leg-spinner Usama Mir (12 wickets at 25.41) has been instrumental in the middle overs and has also shown glimpses of his potential as a tailender.

 

Multan's batting has primarily been led by Rizwan, who is the tournament's most successful batter with 483 runs at 145.04, and Rossouw, who is fourth on the list of highest run-getters with 388 runs at 176.36. In their last group match, right-handed opener Usman Khan smashed the fastest century in the tournament's history, crossing the 100-run barrier in only 36 balls and laying the foundation for his team to post a massive score of 262. This highlights the team's depth and talent.