Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans: Preview, prediction and likely lineups for PSL 9 match

Lahore Qalandars will face Multan Sultans at Gaddafi Stadium in the 14th game of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine.

Lahore, yet to secure a win, face table-toppers Multan. Struggling with inconsistent batting and bowling, Lahore aim to overturn its fortunes.

Multan, boasting a strong batting lineup and disciplined bowling attack, seek to extend dominance. Expect an intense battle as Lahore seeks redemption against the formidable Multan.

Lahore Qalandars

Lahore Qalandars are facing a tough season so far, sitting at the bottom of the points table with no wins from their previous matches. Their struggles have primarily stemmed from inconsistencies in both the batting and bowling departments.

While their batting lineup boasts talent with the likes of Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan, they have failed to convert starts into substantial scores consistently. Additionally, the absence of impactful partnerships has hurt their chances of posting competitive totals.

On the bowling front, despite having a star-studded lineup led by the fiery Shaheen Afridi, Lahore has failed to effectively contain opposition batters. Their bowlers have struggled to maintain pressure and have leaked runs at crucial junctures, resulting in their opponents posting imposing totals. Moreover, Haris Rauf injured himself while fielding in the previous game and has been ruled out of PSL 2024.

They will rely heavily on Shaheen Afridi's ability to strike early and their spinners to control the middle overs to stifle Multan's strong batting lineup.

Multan Sultans

Multan Sultans have been the standout team of the tournament so far, sitting comfortably at the top of the points table with four wins from their five matches. Led admirably by Mohammad Rizwan, they have displayed a perfect blend of consistency and firepower in both the batting and bowling departments.

With the bat, Multan boasts a formidable lineup comprising experienced campaigners like Rizwan himself, along with dynamic stroke-makers like Reeza Hendricks and Dawid Malan. Their ability to build partnerships and accelerate at the right moments has been key to their success, evidenced by their impressive batting averages and high scores.

In the bowling department, Multan Sultans have been equally impressive, with their bowlers executing their plans meticulously to restrict opposition teams. Whether it's the pace of Mohammad Ali or the spin of Usama, Multan possess a varied bowling attack capable of picking wickets consistently and applying pressure throughout the innings.

Heading into their match against Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans will be brimming with confidence and will look to maintain their winning momentum. They will aim to capitalise on Lahore's bowling vulnerabilities while ensuring their own batting lineup continues to fire on all cylinders.

Pitch Report

In the early stages of PSL 2024, Gaddafi Stadium favoured batters, but recent matches saw spinners gaining traction, balancing the contest between bat and ball. The pitch traditionally supports batsmen, offering minimal assistance to pacers but some grip for spinners later on.

Probable Playing XIs

Lahore Qalandars: Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Rassie van der Dussen, Shai Hope, Sikandar Raza, Ahsan Bhatti, Carlos Brathwaite, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Mohammad Imran, Zaman Khan

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Dawid Malan, Reeza Hendricks, Tayyab Tahir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, David Willey, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Aftab Ibrahim