Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United Prediction & Preview – PSL 2026
Match summary
Our PSL 2026 preview of Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United at Gaddafi Stadium: probable XIs, pitch, afternoon heat, expected scores and a pick.
Match details
| Match | Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United, 9th Match |
|---|---|
| Series | Pakistan Super League 2026 |
| Date | 2 Apr 2026 |
| Start time | 9:30 am GMT / 2:30 pm local |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | Quetta Gladiators |
| Toss pick | Islamabad United |
Matches in this series
Match preview
Quetta Gladiators take on Islamabad United in the 9th match of the 2026 Pakistan Super League. Unusually, it is an afternoon start at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 2 April.
Quetta, led by Saud Shakeel, have Rilee Rossouw, Hasan Nawaz and Tom Curran in a squad that also contains Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq and Spencer Johnson. Islamabad, captained by Shadab Khan, can rely on Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali and Chris Green, along with pace options in Mohammad Hasnain and Salman Irshad.
Without dew to help a chasing team, the surface is expected to reward a strong powerplay and a defendable total, with the pitch possibly slowing a little later. The heat could also test the fielders. We pick Quetta Gladiators in a competitive fixture.
The Gaddafi Stadium surface is usually flat, with even bounce and a fast outfield that suits batters, particularly in limited-overs games. New-ball swing is possible and spinners can find some help in the middle overs, though they seldom dominate. In this afternoon fixture dew is not expected to be a factor, so batting first carries an advantage, and the pitch may slow slightly during the second innings.
Lahore is expected to be hot and dry around the 2:30 pm start, with temperatures of 33–35°C and mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies. There is virtually no chance of rain and humidity should be low. A light breeze may offer slight relief, but the intense heat could be demanding on players, especially during the first innings.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 175–195 | – |
| Second innings | 155–180 | – |
Quetta Gladiators
With no dew expected in an afternoon game, runs on the board should count, and Quetta’s top order and spin options suit that scenario.
Toss pick: Islamabad United
FAQ
What time does Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United start?
The 9th match of PSL 2026 begins at 2:30 pm local time (9:30 am GMT) on 2 April at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Will dew affect this afternoon match?
Our preview does not expect dew, so bowling sides should keep a better grip on the ball than in night games.
Who do we expect to win QG vs IU?
We lean towards Quetta Gladiators, with first-innings runs likely to be valuable in the afternoon heat.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
Quetta Gladiators
- Saud Shakeelc
- Hasan Nawaz
- Rilee Rossouw
- Khawaja Nafay
- Jahandad Khan
- Usman Tariq
- Abrar Ahmed
- Ahmed Daniyal
- Tom Curran
- Bismillah Khan
- Wasim Akram Jnr
Islamabad United
- Shadab Khanc
- Andries Gouswk
- Devon Conway
- Mark Chapman
- Haider Ali
- Sameer Minhas
- Faheem Ashraf
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Salman Irshad
- Mehran Mumtaz
- Chris Green