Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi: Preview, prediction and likely lineups for PSL 9 match

| 2025-01-16 05:24:39

The match will be played at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium

Peshawar has an upper hand in head-to-head record - PCB

In the wake of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine opener between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad Umited at the Gaddafi Stadium, fans are eagerly looking forward to the second match between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators at the same venue.

PSL has a reputation for high-scoring encounters, and pundits anticipate both teams surpassing the 200-run mark.

Equipped with a stellar batting lineup, both teams possess formidable talent ready to exploit the excellent batting conditions. Early fixtures in any competition carry an element of uncertainty, yet the stage is set for an exhilarating clash between the two sides.

Led by Babar Azam, Peshawar Zalmi finished just two points behind last year’s runners-up Multan Sultans in the group stage and four points behind Lahore Qalandars. They are eyeing to lift the title for the first time since 2017 with a winning start.

Despite a disappointing performance in the previous PSL, Quetta Gladiators boast a strong squad aiming for the playoffs this season for the first time since 2020 under the new leadership of Rilee Rossouw.

Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi have faced each other in 21 matches, with Quetta Gladiators winning nine games and Peshawar Zalmi winning twelve.

Pitch Report

The strip is expected to offer a glossy surface with consistent bounce and decent pace, providing batters with a reliable platform to showcase their skills. Regardless of the toss result, both teams will aim to post scores exceeding 200 runs to enhance their chances of victory. With warm and sunny conditions prevailing throughout the match, temperatures are forecasted to remain above 23 degrees Celsius. A gentle breeze could add a touch of comfort for the players on the field.

Probable Playing XIs

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (wk), Mohammad Haris, Rovman Powell, Asif Ali, Haseebullah Khan, Mehran Mumtaz, Aamer Jamal, Salman Irshad, Waqar Salamkheil.

Quetta Gladiators: Jason Roy, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw (c), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Mohammad Wasim, Mohammad Hasnain, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Qadir, Mohammad Amir.