Quetta Gladiators. Image Credits: AFP
For Match 9 of the PSL 2026 season, Quetta Gladiators will take on Islamabad United on April 2, Thursday. The clash will be live for fans to watch from 3:00 PM IST at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United Preview
Quetta Gladiators have had a mixed start to their PSL 2026 campaign, registering one win and one loss from their two matches so far. With two points and a healthy net run rate, they currently sit in the mid-table and will be eager to build momentum with a strong performance in this fixture.
On the other hand, Islamabad United are still searching for its first win of the season. With one no-result and one defeat in two games, they have managed just a single point and find themselves in the lower half of the standings. Their campaign so far has been inconsistent, particularly in the batting department, which has struggled to deliver under pressure.
Heading into this contest, Quetta Gladiators will have the upper hand in terms of form and confidence. However, Islamabad United will be desperate to turn things around and open their account in PSL 2026, making this clash an intriguing battle.
Quetta Gladiators Playing XI vs Islamabad United - PSL 2026 Match 9
Top Order- Saud Shakeel (c), Shamyl Hussain, Rilee Rossouw, Hasan Nawaz
The batting order of Quetta Gladiators is unlikely to change despite poor performances from Saud Shakeel, the skipper, who has scored 37 runs from his two innings.
His opening partner and young talent Shamyl Hussain will be crucial in piling up runs during the power play. Hussain has been in consistent form, racking up 106 runs from his two appearances, with two half-centuries to his name.
At number three, Rilee Rossouw will also keep his place in the Quetta Gladiators Playing XI vs Islamabad United despite getting out for a duck in his latest appearance. A veteran of Quetta, the South African batter averaged 34 in PSL 2025 and will be entrusted with stabilising the top and middle order in case of an early collapse.
Hasan Nawaz will come in next in the Quetta Gladiators Playing XI vs Islamabad United, where he has returned with a good average in PSL 2026 so far. He has already scored one half-century against Hyderabad Kingsmen in the last match, while striking at 112.50 at an average of 36.
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Middle Order and All-Rounders- Khawaja Nafay, Bevon Jacobs, Tom Curran
The middle order will see Khawaja Nafay chip in as the wicketkeeper and contribute with the bat as well. Khawaja didn’t return with good numbers against Hyderabad, as he scored only six runs before getting dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana.
His opening innings against Karachi Kings was also disappointing. However, given his National T20 Cup form, Nafay is likely to be given another chance by the Gladiators in the upcoming clash at number five.
Coming in after Nafay, Ben McDermott might be replaced in the Quetta Gladiators Playing XI vs Islamabad United by New Zealand batter Bevon Jacobs. McDermott has been an underwhelming performer, and given Jacobs’ potential with the bat to strike at 150 and above, as seen in the New Zealand series in 2026, he could come into the side.
However, Tom Curran is expected to continue, given that he was the standout performer with the bat, scoring a quickfire 31 off 18 balls to push Quetta Gladiators to 174 against Hyderabad Kingsmen. With the ball, Curran went wicketless but remained economical, conceding just 21 runs from his three-over spell.
Bowlers- Ahmed Daniyal, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq
The Gladiators are likely to continue with the same bowling lineup as in the previous match. The pace department in the Quetta Gladiators Playing XI vs Islamabad United will be led by Alzarri Joseph and Ahmed Daniyal, while Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq will take charge of the spin department.
In the previous clash, Tariq and Alzarri Joseph picked up one wicket each, while Abrar Ahmed bagged three wickets to emerge as the highest wicket-taker. Ahmed Daniyal, with his right-arm pace, also claimed two crucial wickets, while skipper Saud Shakeel chipped in with one wicket through his left-arm orthodox spin.
Hence, the Gladiators’ bowling unit looks well-balanced with six bowling options, including Tom Curran, which adds further depth in the Quetta Gladiators Playing XI vs Islamabad United.
Quetta Gladiators Playing XI vs Islamabad United: Saud Shakeel (c), Shamyl Hussain, Rilee Rossouw, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Tom Curran, Ahmed Daniyal, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq
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