Key points
- Match set to begin at 8:00pm
- Tonight’s fixture carries significant weight for the playoff picture
- The last five matches of the regular season are expected to be fiercely contested
ISLAMABAD: Despite growing tensions between Pakistan and India following cross-border military strikes, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season X will continue as scheduled.
The announcement comes just hours before Islamabad United take on Quetta Gladiators at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium tonight, with the match set to begin at 8:00pm.
This development follows a volatile 24 hours in the region, where Indian airstrikes inside Pakistani territory prompted a strong military retaliation.
The Pakistan Armed Forces reported downing five Indian Air Force jets, a combat drone, and destroying a brigade headquarters in a response that has dominated national headlines.
Fierce contest
Tonight’s fixture carries significant weight for the playoff picture. With the Quetta Gladiators already through to the next stage, Islamabad United remain in a tight race for a spot, alongside Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, and Peshawar Zalmi. The last five matches of the regular season are expected to be fiercely contested, with the bottom-placed Multan Sultans already out of the tournament.
Islamabad United will be looking to bounce back after their recent loss to Quetta, where the Gladiators edged a dramatic finish. Notably, United have frequently shuffled their lineup throughout the season, a trend that continued in their last game with six squad changes. They will need greater consistency and tactical clarity to secure a playoff berth.
Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators are likely to stick with a settled side, aiming to solidify a top-two finish that offers a valuable advantage in the playoffs. With momentum on their side, they pose a tough challenge for the unpredictable United squad.
All eyes on Rawalpindi tonight
Looking ahead, one of the most anticipated matches of the season looms large as Islamabad United and Karachi Kings prepare to face off on Saturday, May 10—a clash that could potentially decide both teams’ playoff fate.
For now, all eyes will be on Rawalpindi tonight, where the game promises not just cricketing drama but also a sense of national normalcy in an otherwise tense moment.
Islamabad United
Kyle Mayers, Sahibzada Farhan, Colin Munro, Salman Ali Agha, Andries Gous (wk), Haider Ali/Shadab Khan (c), Jason Holder, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Shahzad, Naseem Shah, Salman Irshad
Quetta Gladiators
Saud Shakeel (c), Abrar Ahmed, Hassan Nawaz, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Mark Chapman, Rilee Rossouw, Kyle Jamieson, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Faheem Ashraf, Khurram Shahzad, Finn Allen
