Summary Lahore Qalandars elect to bat first against Quetta Gladiators in PSL 11 match 26, with both sides seeking momentum in Karachi.
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Three-time champions Lahore Qalandars won the toss and elected to bat first against Quetta Gladiators in the 26th match of Pakistan Super League season 11 at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Friday, setting the tone for a closely watched encounter between two recent finalists.
Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi opted to put runs on the board on a surface expected to favour batting early on, as the Qalandars look to regain stability in a campaign that has seen fluctuating performances. The decision comes with both sides locked on four points, though Quetta have played one game more, adding weight to the outcome of this fixture.
The match brings together two sides with a recent history of high-stakes clashes. Their most recent meeting came in the final of PSL 10, where Lahore Qalandars secured a six-wicket victory to lift their third title, further strengthening their edge in the rivalry.
Playing XIs
Lahore Qalandars fielded a balanced line-up featuring Mohammad Naeem, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique at the top, followed by Charith Asalanka and wicketkeeper Haseebullah in the middle order. The all-round depth includes Sikandar Raza and Daniel Sams, while the bowling attack is led by Shaheen Shah Afridi alongside Haris Rauf and Usama Mir.
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Quetta Gladiators, led by Saud Shakeel, included Shamyl Hussain and Rilee Rossouw among their key batters, with Dinesh Chandimal behind the stumps. Their bowling unit features international names such as Alzarri Joseph and Abrar Ahmed, supported by Jahandad Khan and Usman Tariq.
Head-to-head rivalry
The Qalandars hold a narrow advantage over the Gladiators in PSL history, having won 11 of their 21 encounters, compared to Quetta’s nine victories, with one match ending without a result. The margin underlines a competitive rivalry that has often delivered tightly contested matches.
Their previous clash in a final further intensifies the stakes, particularly as both teams aim to reposition themselves in the standings during the latter half of the league stage.
Form guide
Both teams enter the contest with similar momentum, each having secured two wins so far this season. However, inconsistency has defined their campaigns.
Quetta Gladiators began their PSL 11 journey with a 14-run defeat against Karachi Kings but bounced back with a commanding 40-run win over Hyderabad Kingsmen. Their momentum was halted by consecutive losses to Islamabad United and Multan Sultans. A second victory followed against Rawalpindiz, only for the side to suffer another setback against table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi.
Lahore Qalandars, meanwhile, started with promise, winning two of their first three matches against Kingsmen and Sultans. Their campaign then lost traction with back-to-back defeats to Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, pushing them down to seventh place in the standings.
With Peshawar Zalmi leading the table on 13 points, the mid-table remains tightly packed. Quetta Gladiators currently sit sixth, just ahead of Lahore Qalandars in seventh, making this encounter significant for both sides as they attempt to climb the rankings and revive their campaigns in PSL 11.
