FANTASY
Follow UsLahore Qalandars take on Quetta Gladiators in Match 4 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 at the National Stadium, Karachi. While the Qalandars managed to squeeze out a four-wicket victory over Peshawar Zalmi in their previous match, the Gladiators succumbed to a seven-wicket loss against Karachi Kings in the tournament opener. Qalandars and Gadiators have clashed 10 times in the PSL, with both winning five apiece. However, it is Lahore who have had the upper hand in the last five matches, winning four of them, while Quetta have managed to win just once.
PSL HEAD-TO-HEAD
Overall: 10 Matches | Lahore – 5 Wins | Quetta – 5 Wins
Last 5 Matches: Lahore – 4 Wins | Quetta – 1 Win
Suggested Teams
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. Based on algorithms, we come up with six different teams that could fetch crucial points.
Ground details and team combination
Pacers have ruled the roost at the National Stadium, Karachi, with 20 out of the 22 wickets (other than run-outs) falling to them. Given that a total of 21 matches are going to be played at this venue, it will be just a matter of time before the spinners too get in on the action as well.
The team batting second have won the first two matches of the tournament. We have not seen the team batting first put up significantly high scores and that could be the case in this game as well. While the spinners have not done anything of much significance so far, it would be ideal if you still went ahead and picked one or two quality spinners, which both the sides have.
Captain selection
Chris Gayle was in terrific form in the first match against Karachi Kings, which saw him smash his way to a 24-ball 39, including four fours and two sixes. The Universe Boss was the only player to make a substantial contribution to his team total of 121 and will hope that he can make a bigger contribution in this game. Since 2020, Gayle has scored 471 runs at a strike-rate of 139.3, which includes four fifties from 12 innings.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Gayle could score 16-39 runs in this match.
X-Factors
One of the best outcomes from Quetta’s heavy defeat in the tournament opener was the form of fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain. The 20-year-old finished with figures of 2 for 18 from his four overs, which included the wickets of both the openers – Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam. The youngster has not done too badly in the PSL either. He has picked up 27 wickets at 18.4 and has struck once every 13.3 deliveries.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Hasnain could pick up 1-2 wickets in this match.
The experienced Mohammad Hafeez held up one end in Lahore’s nervy four-wicket victory over Peshawar Zalmi. Coming in at No. 4 with over 100 runs more to get from 14 overs and wickets tumbling around him, Hafeez stuck to his guns and scored an unbeaten 26-ball 33 to guide his side home. In PSL since 2020, Hafeez has been in top-notch form, having scored 325 runs at 39 and at a strike-rate of 125.3.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Hafeez could score 12-29 runs in this match.
Shaheen Afridi is coming into the tournament at the back of impressive Test and T20I series victories over South Africa. In Qalandars' opening game, he did exceedingly well, finishing with 3 for 14, for which he was awarded the player of the match as well. No bowler has picked up more wickets (17) than Shaheen in PSL since 2020, just ahead of Hasnain, who has 15 scalps. The Pakistan pacer will look to terrorise the batsmen with his pace, accuracy, and swing in this game.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Afridi could pick up 1-2 wickets in this match.
