Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans Playing XI, PSL 2025: Match Preview, Weather, and Pitch Report

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Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans Playing XI, PSL 2025: The Pakistan Super League comes alive once more as Lahore Qalandars, defending champions brimming with intent, square off against perennial contenders Multan Sultans in Match 17 at the illustrious Gaddafi Stadium.

There’s an unmistakable sense of anticipation in the air, with both sides eyeing a thunderous start to their PSL 2025 campaign in front of a packed Lahore crowd. The Qalandars, led by the fiery Shaheen Shah Afridi, are determined to keep their winning momentum going.

Their mix of home-grown power and international stars makes for a blockbuster unit, never shy of delivering fireworks with both bat and ball. The Sultans, meanwhile, remain a fan favourite, led by Mohammad Rizwan and boasting some of the most versatile talent in domestic T20 cricket.

Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans Match Details

• Date: 26th April, 2025
• Time: 8:30 PM IST
• Venue: Gaddafi Stadium
• Broadcast: Sony Sports Network

LAH vs MUL Pitch and Weather Conditions

Pitch Report:

The Gaddafi Stadium, famed for its flat track and lightning fast outfield, is set to be a haven for batters. The pitch report suggests a freshly laid wicket, aiding stroke-making and promising a run-fest. Pacers can expect a hint of seam movement in the first few overs, but this will quickly fade, making way for a batting paradise. With average first innings scores hovering around 163 and a run rate of 8.28, expect both teams to hunt big totals.

Weather Report:

It's a hot, dry evening—temperatures around 34°C at match start, negligible humidity, and barely a cloud in sight. Dew shouldn't alter conditions much, giving no significant advantage to either innings. However, with 48% of wickets in recent PSL games here coming from spinners, variation in pace will be a vital weapon, especially in the middle overs.

Weather Conditions Table (Lahore, Gaddafi Stadium – 26 April 2025)

LAH vs MUL Team Previews

Lahore Qalandars: A Fusion of Flair and Firepower

The Lahore Qalandars come into PSL 2025 as the defending champions, still riding high on recent successes and boasting a squad built for modern T20 combat. Under the inspirational leadership of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Qalandars have mastered the art of balancing youth and experience. Their top order is spearheaded by Fakhar Zaman, a local hero with an appetite for big runs at the Gaddafi Stadium. His aggressive approach inside the Powerplay is perfectly complemented by the composure and technique of Abdullah Shafique, forming a formidable opening duo.

New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell brings international pedigree and versatility to the middle order, while England’s Sam Billings, one of the cleanest strikers in T20 cricket, provides explosive finishing abilities and sharp glovework. The Qalandars’ middle and lower order offers further depth with Sikandar Raza, a reliable all-rounder who can change matches with both bat and ball, and the powerful Asif Ali.

Bowling remains their jewel, led by captain Shaheen—one of the most feared left-arm quicks in world cricket. Haris Rauf’s raw pace and Zaman Khan’s death-bowling add variety, while Asif Afridi and Rishad Hossain offer spin options for the middle overs. The Qalandars’ versatility, sheer pace attack, and explosive batting make them a nightmare for any opposition—especially on their home turf at Gaddafi, where they thrive under the electric local support.

Multan Sultans: Method Meets Muscle for Season Opener

Multan Sultans enter PSL 2025 as perennial title challengers, under the calm and calculative leadership of Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan, the reliable and consistent run accumulator, has repeatedly anchored momentous Multan chases, and his leadership has been instrumental in creating a fighting team culture. Alongside him, Usman Khan and Michael Bracewell add firepower—Bracewell, in particular, is known for his ability to clear boundaries and adapt to various match situations, a valuable trait on a batter-friendly Gaddafi wicket.
At the heart of the Sultans’ batting, the likes of Iftikhar Ahmed and Johnson Charles offer the ability to accelerate fearlessly in the death overs. Multan also boasts an enviable lower order, with David Willey and Chris Jordan capable of finishing innings in style and snatching win-from-behind victories. Their ability to contribute with the ball makes the Sultans’ XI even more resourceful.
In the bowling department, Usama Mir’s leg-spin exploits have gathered headlines, especially at this venue, where the surface often rewards spinners who cleverly vary their pace and flight. The pace battery, including Jordan, Willey, Mohammad Hasnain, and Josh Little, ensures Multan can apply pressure both with the new ball and at the death, adjusting tactics as the pitch demands.
Multan’s strength lies in their all-rounders and adaptability—they often find heroes from any position in the line-up. Their blend of T20 specialists and strategic leadership makes them every bit as dangerous as their hosts, ready to spoil the Qalandars’ homecoming party and claim early bragging rights in PSL 2025.

LAH vs MUL Key Players

Lahore Qalandars:

• Fakhar Zaman: Has thrived at Gaddafi—fast starts and ability to dominate the powerplay.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi: Swing early on could net crucial wickets; look out for his inswinger under lights.
• Sikandar Raza: Spin set to play its role on a batting-friendly surface, his all-round skills invaluable.
• Sam Billings: Reliable in the middle order; ideal to finish off innings.

Multan Sultans:

• Mohammad Rizwan: An opener who can adapt to pace and seam—bound to anchor a platform.
• Usama Mir: Key leg-spinner; important in the mid-overs especially on this surface.
• David Willey/Chris Jordan: Both offer finishing abilities with bat and can exploit any seam on offer with the new ball.

LAH vs MUL Team News

No major injuries reported; both teams set to field full-strength XIs. Both camps are delighted to start PSL 2025 with a fit squad. Major foreign signings are available for selection and no last-minute injury news has surfaced. Lahore’s management has kept faith in familiar faces, while Multan Sultans are expected to trust their core that performed so well in the last campaign.

LAH vs MUL Playing XI

Lahore Qalandars:

Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Asif Ali, Sikandar Raza, Rishad Hossain, Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi, Mohammad Azab, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c)

Multan Sultans:

Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Michael Bracewell, Usama Mir, David Willey, Iftikhar Ahmed, Usman Khan, Chris Jordan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Josh Little, Johnson Charles

LAH vs MUL Squads

Lahore Qalandars Squad:

Shaheen Shah Afridi (C), Fakhar Zaman, Daryl Mitchell, Haris Rauf, Kusal Perera, Sikandar Raza, Abdullah Shafique, Jahandad Khan, Zaman Khan, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, David Wiese, Muhammad Akhlaq, Rishad Hossain, Mohammad Azab, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Naeem, Sam Billings, Salman Ali Mirza, Tom Curran

Multan Sultans Squad:

Mohammad Rizwan (C), Michael Bracewell, Usama Mir, David Willey, Iftikhar Ahmed, Usman Khan, Chris Jordan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Akif Javed, Gudakesh Motie, Josh Little, Faisal Akram, Tayyab Tahir, Ubaid Shah, Shahid Aziz, Johnson Charles, Muhammad Amir Barki, Shai Hope, Yasir Khan