PSL 9: Here is how Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United will affect Lahore Qalandars’ playoffs qualification chances

Peshawar Zalmi will face Islamabad United in the 20th match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, on Tuesday.

Zalmi currently sit on third position with 7 points, while Islamabad are fourth with 5 points. While a win for the former would not greatly disturb Lahore Qalandars’ qualification chances, United’s triumph is likely to all but end the defending champions' hopes of playing the eliminators.

Here is the qualification scenario for Lahore Qalandars

If Peshawar beat Islamabad, they will sit on third position with 9 points, the same as Quetta Gladiators. Their next match is against Multan Sultans, who have already qualified for the play-offs.

A win against Mohammad Rizwan’s troops would ensure their qualification in the eliminators.

However, if Islamabad beat Babar Azam’s men, they would have 7 points, the same as Zalmi. This would make things difficult for Lahore as Shadab Khan’s men would only be one win away from qualifying for the playoffs then.

Qalandars have only 1 point from 7 matches this season, and in order to qualify for the playoffs, not only do they need to win their remaining matches by heavy margins, but they also need Islamabad and Karachi Kings to lose all of their matches.

Lahore will face Islamabad on March 6 and Karachi on March 9, in order to increase their chances of qualification, they would need to beat both teams and pray they also lose their remaining matches.