LAHORE: Defending champions Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has won the toss and elected to field first against Peshawar Zalmi in the high-stakes 38th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
The stage is set at Gaddafi Stadium for a heavyweight clash as Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi take on Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars🏟️✨#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #LQvPZ | #GoGold | #GoldenRibbon🎗️ pic.twitter.com/fnQTqVSznW
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 25, 2026
The head-to-head record between the two sides favors Peshawar. In 22 previous PSL encounters, Zalmi have claimed 12 victories compared to Lahore’s nine, with one match ending in no result. Their most recent meeting earlier this season saw Zalmi dominate with a massive 118-run win.
The contrasting form guide adds further intrigue to the contest. Peshawar enter the fixture on a remarkable seven-match winning streak and remain the only unbeaten side in the tournament. The 2017 champions have already secured a top finish with 17 points from nine matches. In contrast, the Qalandars have managed just two wins in their last five games and are coming off a five-wicket defeat to arch-rivals Karachi Kings.
This must-win clash carries enormous weight for the defending champions. A victory would keep their playoff hopes alive, while a defeat would end their PSL 11 campaign. Lahore currently sit fifth on the table with eight points from as many matches.
PLAYING XIs FOR BOTH SIDES ARE IN! #HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #LQvPZ | #GoGold | #GoldenRibbon🎗 pic.twitter.com/AXSh50qQAj
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 25, 2026
Playing XIs
- Lahore Qalandars: Mohammad Naeem, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Charith Asalanka, Haseebullah (wk), Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Daniel Sams, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Ubaid Shah, Haris Rauf
- Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), James Vince, Kusal Mendis, Farhan Yousaf, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Khurram Shahzad, Sufiyan Muqeem, Basit Ali, Ali Raza
As the playoff race intensifies, all eyes will be on Gaddafi Stadium to see whether Lahore’s bowling attack can halt Peshawar’s unstoppable run or if Zalmi continue their march toward the title.
