HBL PSL 6: Islamabad United face high-flying Lahore Qalandars

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Two-time champions Islamabad United will face the Lahore Qalandars in the first fixture of double-header Sunday in Abu Dhabi, during the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League season six.

The Qalandars have been on a roll, since the restart, after winning both of their matches, against United and Peshawar Zalmi, and are currently at the top of the table.

Afghanistan’s leg-spinner Rashid Khan has played a key role in Sohail Akhtar-led unit’s victories, bagging the player of the match award in both matches. Rashid also claimed a five-wicket haul, 5/20, against Zalmi on Thursday.

On the other hand, United would be keen to avenge their defeat few days back, at the hands of Qalandars, when they failed to win after a close finish on the opening day of the restart.

Despite losing against Qalandars, United made a resounding comeback in their next match by defeating Quetta Gladiators, in emphatic fashion, by 10 wickets.

Speaking after the match, Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan stated that key to winning such competitions lies in bowling well. 

“The way we played last game, we had come close. We could’ve taken that result negatively or positively, but today’s game showed we took positives out of last game. The bowling has been good all tournament, and in a T20 tournament your bowling makes you win competitions. Want to continue doing good things next game too,” said Shadab.

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Shadab also provided an update on all-rounder Faheem Ashraf’s injury, who sustained a split webbing in his left hand during the franchise’s fifth game of the season against Qalandars on Wednesday

“Faheem Ashraf has stitches, hopefully he will be ready by end of the league phase. He is an important player so we are not risking his recovery by bringing him quickly,” he added.

Islamabad were also dealt a big blow, last night, when it came to light that pacer Hasan Ali will miss the remainder of the event due to family reasons.

Squads

Islamabad United – Shadab Khan (c), Ahmed Saifi Abdullah, Ali Khan, Akif Javed, Asif Ali, Brandon King, Colin Munro, Fawad Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Akhlaq, Musa Khan, Rohail Nazir, Umar Amin, Usman Khawaja, Zafar Gohar and Zeeshan Zameer

Lahore Qalandars – Sohail Akhtar (c), Ahmed Danyal, Ben Dunk, Callum Ferguson, Dilbar Hussain, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, James Faulkner, Maaz Khan, Mohammad Faizan, Mohammad Hafeez, Rashid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Seekuge Prasana, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sultan Ahmed, Tim David, Zaid Alam and Zeeshan Ashraf