![Lahore Qalandars [Source: PSL/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1774682717740_LahoreQalandars.jpg?type=hq)
Lahore Qalandars [Source: PSL/X.com]
Lahore Qalandars started their PSL 2026 season with a big win over the Hyderabad Kingsmen in the first match of the season. Now they will face the Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Sunday, March 29, at 7:30 PM (IST).
Their opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Muhammad Naeem was instrumental in setting up their first win of the season. Zaman scored 53 off 39 with 10 fours, while Naeem got 30 off 19, before Haseebullah Khan and Sikandar Raza’s late flurry took them to 199/6.
Three of their bowlers picked two wickets each, led by Haris Rauf’s 2/22 in 4 overs as they won by a huge margin of 69 runs. Up next, as they face Karachi Kings, who also won their opening match of PSL 2026, we take a look at Lahore Qalandars’ predicted XI for the match.
Lahore Qalandars' Playing XI vs Karachi Kings- PSL 2026, Match 6
Top-order: Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique
The leading run-scorer of PSL 2026 so far, experienced Fakhar Zaman, will continue to bat at the top alongside Muhammad Naeem against the Karachi Kings. The pair stitched an 84-run partnership in the tournament opener to set the stage on fire in just 8.2 overs, and would go in with a similar approach on Sunday evening.
Abdullah Shafique, who has been out of favour with the Pakistan national team, will look to put on some statement performances in the remainder of the season after just 4 off 5 against the Kingsmen. Thanks to their big win, it is unlikely that they will make any change to the top-3.
Middle-order and all-rounders: Parvez Hossain Emon, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Sikandar Raza, Asif Ali, Shaheen Afridi
Bangladesh youngster, Parvez Hossain Emon, will bat at number 4, as someone who can act as a bridge between the top-order and explosive finishers. He can play well according to the situations and has a T20 strike rate of 128.43 in 91 innings, scoring 2141 runs.
The x-factor duo of wicketkeeper Haseebullah Khan and Sikandar Raza will complete the top-6, with the prowess of hitting sixes at will. In the last match, they added 45(21) for the fifth wicket, with Raza getting 24 off 10 and Haseebullah getting 40* (28) with three fours and a six. Raza also picked 2/27 in 4 overs with his off-spin during the middle overs.
Former Pakistan finisher, Asif Ali, will bat at 7 with an impeccable six-hitting record in T20 cricket. He has played 285 innings for 4937 runs, striking at 146.84. He has 318 sixes and 328 fours in his career, including one six in the last match. Captain Shaheen Afridi will complete the long batting lineup after his 12*(2) in the first match.
With the ball, he dismissed Usman Khan early in the second innings and ended the day with 1/28 in 4 overs to kick off the tournament in style.
Bowlers: Haris Rauf, Mustafizur Rahman, Ubaid Shah
The Lahore Qalandars are likely to keep the same bowling attack intact after a brilliant performance on day 1 of the tournament. None of their bowlers conceded over 7 runs per over.
The 20-year-old Ubaid Shah picked 2/27 in 4 overs and is expected to take the new ball with the captain again. Mustafizur Rahman bowled a sensational 1/19 in four overs and will bowl predominantly in the second half of the Karachi Kings innings, providing slower ones and good yorkers.
After missing out on the T20 World Cup, despite a BBL season, where he ended as the leading wicket-taker with 20 scalps, Haris Rauf put on a match-winning spell of 2/22 in four overs to help bundle the Kingsmen for just 130 runs. The only spinner in this attack will be Sikandar Raza, like the first match.
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