Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Prediction & Match Preview – PSL 2026, 35th Match
Match summary
Our preview of Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings in PSL 2026 at Gaddafi Stadium: likely XIs, pitch and weather notes, expected scores and a verdict.
Match details
| Match | Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings, 35th Match |
|---|---|
| Series | Pakistan Super League 2026 |
| Date | 23 Apr 2026 |
| Start time | 2:00 pm GMT / 7:00 pm local |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | Karachi Kings |
| Toss pick | Lahore Qalandars |
Matches in this series
Match preview
Lahore Qalandars host Karachi Kings in the 35th match of the 2026 Pakistan Super League, a Thursday evening fixture at Gaddafi Stadium. It is a meeting of two sides that will both want to use home-ground conditions and individual match-ups to shape the contest.
Lahore’s likely line-up is built around Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique and Sikandar Raza in the batting, with Shaheen Afridi leading an attack that also features Haris Rauf, Usama Mir and Ubaid Shah. Karachi can call on Jason Roy, Reeza Hendricks and Salman Agha in the top order, with Moeen Ali captaining and Adam Zampa, Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza expected in the bowling group.
The surface in Lahore generally rewards strokeplay, and with dew often arriving after dark, the toss could matter. Our preview expects a first-innings total in the 165–180 range and sees Karachi Kings having a slight edge on the night.
Gaddafi Stadium usually offers a flat surface with even bounce and a quick outfield, which makes it a high-scoring ground in limited-overs cricket. The new ball can swing a little early in day-night games, but batting gets easier as the innings goes on. Spinners may find some help in the middle overs without dominating. Dew often matters in evening matches, so sides tend to prefer chasing.
Temperatures in Lahore are forecast at around 33–35°C at the start of play, easing to roughly 29–30°C later in the evening. Skies should be clear with almost no chance of rain, so a full match is expected. Humidity is moderate, and dew is expected to have only a minimal effect.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 165–180 | – |
| Second innings | 155–170 | – |
Karachi Kings
Our preview leans towards Karachi Kings to win, with Lahore Qalandars the likelier side to take the toss.
Toss pick: Lahore Qalandars
FAQ
Where is Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings being played?
The 35th match of PSL 2026 is scheduled for Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 23 April 2026.
Who does our preview pick to win?
Our preview picks Karachi Kings to win, while expecting Lahore Qalandars to win the toss.
What score is competitive at Gaddafi Stadium?
The first-innings range expected here is 165–180, and anything above about 175 is seen as competitive.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
Lahore Qalandars
- Fakhar Zaman
- Mohammad Farooq
- Abdullah Shafique
- Charith Asalanka
- Sikandar Raza
- Haseebullah Khanwk
- Daniel Sams
- Shaheen Afridic
- Usama Mir
- Ubaid Shah
- Haris Rauf
Karachi Kings
- Saad Baigwk
- Jason Roy
- Reeza Hendricks
- Salman Agha
- Moeen Alic
- Khushdil Shah
- Abbas Afridi
- Shahid Aziz
- Hasan Ali
- Adam Zampa
- Mir Hamza
Head-to-head
Earlier meetings of Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings that we covered.