PSL 2023 Qualifier match preview: Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans

Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2023 PSL

What's the match?

Lahore Qalandars take on Multan Sultans in the Qualifier in PSL8.

When is it taking place?

The match is scheduled to start at 7pm local time (2pm GMT) on Wednesday, March 15.

Where is the match being played?

The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will play host to this fixture.

Who's got the form?

With seven wins, three defeats, and 14 points, defending champions Lahore Qalandars finished the regular season in first place in PSL8. Fakar Zaman, who has scored 378 runs for in the competition, has been the Qalandars' most reliable batsman. Rashid Khan is the top bowler for Lahore, taking 15 wickets at an average of 13.

Multan Sultans, on the other hand, ended the regular season with 12 points, and in second place.  South Africa's Rilee Rossouw (383 runs) and captain Mohammad Rizwan (483 runs) are leading the charge with the bat. Abbas Afridi, the 21-year-old quick, the top wicket-taker with 22 dismissals at 14 apiece. 

What's the key match-up?

Lahore Qalandars have won four of their last five head-to-head games, which undoubtedly gives them a psychological advantage. Qalandars defeated Sultans by 21 runs the last time they faced off.

If they can contain Rizwan, Rossouw and Usman Khan, all of whom have made centuries in this PSL, Qalandars should be on to a winner. The battle between Shaheen Shah Afridi and the Rizwan-Shad Masood partnership at the top of the Multan Sultans' order will be fascinating, as always.

Lahore Qalandars finished top of the PSL group stage [Getty Images]

What is the team news?

Afridi returns for Lahore Qalandars after being rested for their final league match, a defeat by Karachi Kings. Multan Sultans have Johnson Charles in the squad.

What are the squads?

Lahore Qalandars: Rashid Khan, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, David Wiese, Abdullah Shafique, Harry Brook, Kamran Ghulam, Zaman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, Liam Dawson, Dilbar Hussain, Mirza Tahir Baig, Ahmed Danlyal, Shawaiz Irfan, Jordan Cox, Jalat Khan, Ahsan Bhatti, Sam Billings (partial replacement for Rashid Khan), Shane Dadswell (replacement for Harry Brook), Kusal Mendis (partial replacement for Jordan Cox), Shai Hope (replacement for Kusal Mendis)

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan, Khushdil Shah, Rilee Rossouw, Shan Masood, Shahnawaz Dahani (injured, February 15), Tim David, Abbas Afridi, Ihsanullah, David Miller, Josh Little (injured, February 24), Akeal Hosein, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Sameen Gul, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Sarwar, Arafat Minhas, Kieron Pollard, Ammad Butt, Wayne Parnell (partial/full replacement for Adil Rashid), Izharulhaq Naveed (partial replacement for David Miller), Mohammad Ilyas (replacement for Shahnawaz Dahani), Carlos Brathwaite (replaced Wayne Parnell)

*squads are for the overall competition and not specific to this match

What are the possible starting XIs?

Lahore Qalandars: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Hussain Talat, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

Multan Sultans: Usman Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Kieron Pollard, Tim David, Anwar Ali, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ilyas, Ihsanullah

What is the weather forecast?

Temperatures could hit 30 degrees Celsius ahead of this game but conditions are expected to cool by the evening. 

Multan Sultans have an explosive batting lineup [Getty Images]

What are the odds?

Lahore Qalandars are favourites with the bookies, with a best price available of 3/4. If you fancy a Multan Sultans win, they are as long as 11/10 in places.

What's the prediction?

Lahore Qalandars have had the better of Multan Sultans in recent outings and this will continue here.

Where can I watch the game?

Cricket fans in Pakistan will be able to watch PSL8 on A Sports, PTV Sports and TEN Sports on TV. Streamed matches will be available on Daraz App, tapmadTV and Tamasha.

Viewers around the world can watch the action live on Fox Sports (Australia), Sony (South Asia outside Pakistan), Willow TV (North America), Flow Sports (Caribbean), Sky Sports (United Kingdom), Sky Sport (New Zealand), Super Sport (sub-Saharan Africa) and, Etisalat and STARZPLAY (Mena).