2021 Pakistan Super League – Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators taking place? Tuesday 2nd March, 2021 – 14:00 (UK)
Where is Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators taking place? National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Where can I get tickets for Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators? Visit this website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators on? This match will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket
Where can I stream Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live via the Sky Go app
THE TEAM NEWS
ISLAMABAD UNITED
- Islamabad United suffered their first defeat of PSL 6 on Saturday as they capitulated against Peshawar Zalmi as they were asked to bat and could only manage 118 which their opponents knocked off with relative ease.
- They made two changes for that games as they brought in Paul Stirling and Fawad Ahmed but both struggled with bat and ball so they will be hoping for another opportunity here to cement their positions in the team.
- Lewis Gregory and Zafar Gohar were the two players to make way for them and it will be interesting to see if either return with Gregory especially somewhat harshly treated following two good performances including a matchwinning innings in the first game.
QUETTA GLADIATORS
- It has been a poor start to PSL 6 for the Quetta Gladiators who have lost all three of their matches played so far and looked destined to struggle unless several of their players can find top form quickly.
- They have not been helped by the fact that they have had to chop and change their overseas players as Chris Gayle has departed for an unexpected national team call-up at the age of 41 while Du Plessis and Steyn had to quarantine but both came in for the first time last time out.
- They were frustrated to have lost their third game in a row at the hands of Peshawar Zalmi especially after posting 198/7 and Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy came under close scrutiny after they conceded 202 and let that game get away from them.
THE PREDICTION
Quetta Gladiators cannot buy a win right now and their task will not be easy against this Islamabad United side who have lost just one of their opening three games and look strong. The Gladiators are clearly under-achieving with the quality they have in their ranks and it is surely a matter of time before they break their duck. Their batting especially is looking stronger by the game and that will give them some confidence but their bowling continues to struggle. They will be desperate to win the toss and put the opposition in to bat which is Sarfaraz Ahmed’s preference anyhow but that is beyond their control. Islamabad were poor last time out but they will be fired up to bounce back. The team batting second is still enjoying a significant advantage however and with neither team convincing in recent performances, this could be another one to assess in-play.
