PSL 2026: Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United Prediction, Playing XIs- Who Will Win PSL 2026, Qualifier?

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United Predictions [Source: AFP]

The PSL 2026 season has reached its business end, with only four teams left as they continue their pursuit of the coveted trophy, with 8 teams involved for the first time ever.

The top-placed team, Peshawar Zalmi, who lost only one of their 10 fixtures, will take on the Islamabad United in the Qualifier at the National Stadium, Karachi on April 28 at 7:30 PM (IST). The Islamabad United sealed the number 2 position in the last league match, beating the Multan Sultans to get ahead in the table.

So far, the Babar Azam-led outfit has looked class apart throughout the competition; however, they did not face the United due to the washed-out match. As the two teams face off for a place in the final, here’s what to expect from the Qualifier.

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United current form (last 5 matches)

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United player battles

Babar Azam vs Richard Gleeson

Babar Azam is in his prime PSL form this season, having already scored 485 runs in 9 innings with three fifties and a hundred. He has a strike rate of 141.40 and has a tendancy to bat throughout the innings, while others around him go berserk. Hence, it will be important for Richard Gleeson to start well against him in the powerplay.

So far in PSL 2026, Gleeson has picked 9 wickets in 7 matches, conceding only 5.96 runs per over.

Devon Conway vs Iftikhar Ahmed

Islamabad United's second-highest run-scorer this season with 265 runs in 9 innings, Devon Conway can play a similar role to Babar for his team. However, as a left-hand batter, he is a good match-up for Iftikhar Ahmed in the powerplay. The off-spinner, is in red-hot form this season, having picked 12 wickets at an economy rate of 7.03 runs per over.

Michael Bracewell vs Chris Green

Michael Bracewell is coming off a blistering 83 off 45 in the last match and remains a crucial middle-order batter for the Zalmi to capitalize on the starts given by Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis. He could be facing Chris Green in this period after the off-spinner has already picked 7 wickets in 7 innings at an economy rate of 6.54 runs per over.

How the duo fares against each other will determine Peshawar Zalmi's score with the bat.

Also Read: PSL 2026 Playoffs Schedule, Venue, Time, Live Streaming And Telecast

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United top performers (current squad members)

Most runs for Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United

From the current squad, Mohammad Haris has scored 378 runs in 10 innings against the Islamabad United at a strike rate of 181.73. He has three fifties to his name.

Most wickets for Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United

Aamer Jamal has 4 wickets in 4 matches against the Islamabad United with an economy rate of 10.76 runs per over.

Most runs for Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi

Shadab Khan has 284 runs in 17 innings against the opponent with a strike rate of 137.86 and two fifties.

Most wickets for Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi

Captain Shadab Khan has picked 25 wickets in 19 innings against the Peshawar Zalmi with the best figures of 3/25 and an economy rate of 8.15 runs per over.

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United toss prediction

So far in PSL 2026, 21 matches have been played at the National Stadium, Karachi, with 8 wins for the team batting first. 13 have been won by the chasing teams, and the average first innings has been 176.60. Considering the season record, the team winning the toss will bowl first.

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United 1st innings score prediction

Powerplay – 51/2

Final score – 164/7

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United 2nd innings score prediction

Powerplay – 60/1

Final score – 165/4

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United top players prediction

Peshawar Zalmi top players' prediction

Probable best batters

Babar Azam, Michael Bracewell

Probable best bowlers

Sufiyan Muqeem, Iftikhar Ahmed

Islamabad United top players prediction

Probable best batters

Sameer Minhas, Mark Chapman

Probable best bowlers

Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf

Who will hit the most sixes in Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United PSL 2026, Qualifier?

Michael Bracewell

Who will score the most fours in Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United PSL 2026, Qualifier?

Babar Azam

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United match winner prediction: Who will win PSL 2026, Qualifier?

The two best teams of PSL 2026, Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United facing off promise a thrilling encounter, especially considering they haven’t faced each other in the competition so far. The Babar Azam-led Zalmi, however, have stood head and shoulders above the rest, which could again be seen in the Qualifier, considering the squad dynamics for the venue.

Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United Playing XI prediction

Peshawar Zalmi predicted XI vs Islamabad United- James Vince, Babar Azam (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Farhan Yousaf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Basit, Ali Raza, Khurram Shahzad.

Islamabad United predicted XI vs Peshawar Zalmi- Devon Conway (wk), Sameer Minhas, Mohsin Riaz, Shadab Khan (c), Mark Chapman, Haider Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Chris Green, Imad Wasim, Salman Mirza, Salman Irshad.

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