One of PSL’s biggest rivalries lands in Karachi on April 9. Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United, Match 16, National Bank Cricket Arena, 3:00 PM PKT. Both sides have points on the board and playoff spots to fight for, which makes this one of the more consequential matches of PSL 2026’s opening phase.
Lahore Qalandars lead the last 10 meetings 8-2. They beat Islamabad United by 95 runs and 88 runs in consecutive PSL 2025 matches, including the Eliminator.
The venue adds another layer. At the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi, teams bowling first win 73% of the time, and spinners take 62% of wickets. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s 17 wickets in 9 matches are the standout bowling numbers of this entire fixture.
This Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United Dream11 prediction for Match 16 breaks down every angle.
LAH vs ISL Match Preview
Lahore Qalandars, who hold an 8-2 edge in the last 10 meetings, face Islamabad United in a Day/Night fixture at the National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United, 16th Match |
| Date | 09 April 2026 |
| Time | 3:00 PM PKT (Day/Night) |
| Venue | National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi |
| Series | Pakistan Super League 2026 |
| Umpires | Chris Brown, Faisal Afridi |
| TV Umpire | Nasir Hussain |
| Match Referee | Kamran Chaudary |
National Bank Cricket Arena Pitch Report
One of the most spin-dominated venues in PSL cricket. Teams bowling first win 73% of the time here, making this toss one of the most decisive of the tournament.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Assists spin significantly; pace is less effective than most PSL venues |
| Bat First Win Rate | 28% |
| Chase Win Rate | 73% |
| Avg 1st Innings Score | 177 |
| Avg 2nd Innings Score | 160 |
| Highest Total at Venue | 236/6 by Karachi Kings vs Multan Sultans |
| Lowest Total at Venue | 101/10 by Karachi Kings vs Multan Sultans |
| Highest Successful Chase | 236/6 by Karachi Kings vs Multan Sultans |
| Pace vs Spin (Last 10) | Pace: 46 wkts (38%) | Spin: 74 wkts (62%) |
| Total PSL Matches at Venue | 40 |
| First PSL 2026 Game Here | Peshawar Zalmi beat Hyderabad Kingsmen in Match 15 (HHK bowled out for 145) |
The National Bank Cricket Arena is a spinner’s ground. 62% of wickets in the last 10 matches here have gone to spin bowlers, which is significantly higher than any other PSL venue in 2026.
Teams bowling first win 73% of the time, making it almost a given that whoever wins the toss will field. The average first innings score of 177 against a second innings average of 160 also confirms that chasing is far more comfortable here.
Karachi Weather – 9 April 2026
Overcast conditions with no rain forecast. High humidity could make the ball do more early on.
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 26.1 degrees C |
| Weather | Overcast |
| Humidity | 69% |
| Rain Chance | 0% |
| Dew Factor | Possible as the evening session progresses |
| Overall | Good conditions; overcast skies may assist swing early |
Injury Update
Islamabad United’s Mir Hamza Sajjad is recovering from a concussion and may be unavailable for this match. Check the official playing XI before finalizing your Dream11 team.
Dream11 Team for LAH vs ISL
LAH vs ISL Head-to-Head In PSL
Lahore Qalandars have completely dominated this rivalry in recent times, winning 8 of the last 10 meetings.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Last 10 Meetings | Lahore Qalandars lead 8-2 |
| LQ’s Recent Run vs IU | Won last 2 meetings by 95 runs and 88 runs in PSL 2025 |
| IU’s Last Win vs LQ | United won by 8 wickets with 14 balls remaining (11 Apr 2025) |
| Biggest LQ Win (last 5) | Qalandars won by 95 runs (23 May 2025, Qualifier 2) |
| Biggest IU Win (last 5) | United won by 8 wickets with 10 balls remaining (17 Feb 2024) |
| Most Recent Meeting | Qalandars won by 95 runs – PSL 2025 Qualifier 2 (23 May 2025) |
Suggested Reads:
Top Players to Watch: Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United
| Player | Team | Role | Mat | Runs/Wkts | Avg/Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Naeem | Lahore Qalandars | Batter | 10 | 375 runs | Avg 37.50 | 175.23 |
| Abdullah Shafique | Lahore Qalandars | Batter | 10 | 299 runs | Avg 33.22 | 154.12 |
| Sameer Minhas | Islamabad United | Batter | 3 | 180 runs | Avg 90.00 | 171.42 |
| Shadab Khan | Islamabad United | All-rounder | 8 | 185 runs | Avg 30.83 | 177.88 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Lahore Qalandars | Bowler | 9 | 17 wkts | Econ 7.61 | 10.29 |
| Haris Rauf | Lahore Qalandars | Bowler | 9 | 15 wkts | Econ 9.86 | 12.13 |
| Salman Irshad | Islamabad United | Bowler | 7 | 14 wkts | Econ 9.33 | 11.71 |
| Imad Wasim | Islamabad United | All-rounder | 9 | 10 wkts | Econ 7.47 | 19.20 |
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