Lahore Qalandars' quest for back-to-back titles againts batting powerhouse Multan Sultans
Date | March 18, 2023 |
Time | 7:30 PM IST |
Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan |
Format | T20 |
Bet on this Game
Our Predictions
- Lahore Qalandars have a 4-2 head-to-head record against Sultans in the last two seasons and will be confident
- Multan Sultans' have conceded close to 200 runs on average in the last five games, and bowlers have been inconsistent
- Lahore Qalandars's bowlers Afridi, Rashid Khan, and Haris Rauf have 50 wickets between them this seasonOur Predictions
MATCH PREVIEW
We have come to the penultimate clash of the Pakistan Super League 2023 and cricket betting apps are on an overload. After 33 electrifying games, it is a repeat of last year's final as the Multan Sultans are up against the defending champions, Lahore Qalandars. They have been the two best sides in the season, and it will be an epic clash between the batting firepower of the Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars' experienced bowling attack. The Qalandars have a 2-1 advantage over the Sultans in this season's three games. We expect an intensifying game as some of the best players in T20 cricket clash for the coveted title.
Multan Sultans Preview
Mohammad Rizwan's side will like to avoid the heartbreak from the last season, where they lost in the final. They produced one of their best performances of the season in the Qualifier game, defeating the Lahore Qalandars by 84 runs. The skipper would want his side to come up with a similar effort. They take on a strong bowling attack, and Rizwan would like to lead from the front and demolish the Qalandars' attack.
Mohammad Rizwan has already made 516 runs and will look to deliver an electrifying start with Usman Khan. The middle order is formidable for the team, and they would need runs from Rilee Rossouw, Kieron Pollard, and Tim David, and each of these players can score at a quick rate. Khushdil Shah and Anwar Ali must do the heavy lifting in the lower middle order.
Their bowlers haven't been in the best form, but they came up with their best show in the last season, bowling out the Qalandars for 76 runs. A repeat of the same show would serve the side well and they need early wickets from Sheldon Cottless and Anwar Ali. Abbas Afridi is the leading wicket-taker, and he needs to do well in the middle overs with Ihsanullah, Pollard, and Usma Mir.
Expected Starting XI for Multan Sultans
Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Usman Khan, Rilee Rossouw, Kieron Pollard, Tim David, Khushdil Shah, Anwar Ali, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Sheldon Cottrell, Ihsanullah
Lahore Qalandars Preview
Shaheen Afridi's side put behind the back-to-back losses to defeat Peshawar Zalmi by 4 wickets in the 2nd Eliminator. It was an all-round show from their batsmen and bowlers in the last game, and the Qalandars skipper would like to continue with the same momentum. Afridi would like his players to take inspiration from last year's final and add one more trophy to their kitty. Their bowlers must be on the money, as the Multan Sultans have the firepower with the bat.
Fakhar Zaman has made 390 runs this season and needs to give a good start with Mirza Tahir Baig, who is growing in confidence. The middle order has been slightly off form, and the team will need runs from Ahsan Bhatti, Abdullah Shafique, and Sam Billings. They have depth in batting, and the side will like big hits from Shaheen Afridi, Sikandar Raza, David Weise, and Rashid Khan.
Zaman Khan bowled well in the last game and would like to strike early, sharing the new ball with Afridi and putting Multan Sultans on the dock. Rashid Khan has enjoyed a good run this season, and he must check the flow of runs in the middle order Haris Rauf. Bhatti, Sikandar Raza, and David Weise add variety to this attack, and they will look to produce a good show in this high-voltage contest.
Expected Starting XI for Lahore Qalandars
Shaheen Afridi (c), Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Sam Billings (wk), Abdullah Shafique, Ahsan Bhatti, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
TOSS: To Bat First
Only once in the eight games played here has the side chasing the score won the game. The wicket has been good to bat early in the game and has slowed down as the game has progressed. It is a high-pressure contest, and the side winning the toss would like to bat first and put runs on the board.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
It would be overcast skies over Lahore, and this will give something to the bowlers who have struggled in the tournament. The pitch will be flat to bat on, making it easy for the batsmen to hit through the line. The side batting first would eye more than 180 runs on the board, which they can defend with good bowling.
OUR PREDICTION
Multan Sultans have done exceedingly well with the bat, but their bowling attack has been found wanting on most occasions. They need to bowl good lines to win this game, as they had done in the Qualifier. The Lahore Qalandars bank on their bowling attack and would like to see their experienced attack deliver in this game. They have a good record against the Multan Sultans. We expect this game to go down the wire, but the Qalandars have the edge according to Indian betting sites.
Our Prediction is for Lahore Qalandars to win