Lahore, 23 May 2025: Defending champions Islamabad United will lock horns with Lahore Qalandars tonight at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore in the Eliminator 2, which will decide the second HBL PSL X finalist to face Quetta Gladiators on Sunday evening.
United, who finished second at the end of the league stage with six wins in 10 games including a five-match winning streak, lost to the Gladiators in the Qualifier by 30 runs.
Qalandars on the other hand finished fourth on the table and knocked out Karachi Kings in the Eliminator 1 last night. United are eyeing a unique first in the history of the HBL PSL as they look to add a fourth title to their deck.
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars have won both of their HBL PSL titles (2022 & 2023) at the Gaddafi Stadium and are aiming to complete the historic treble at their home ground.
United and Qalandars both have faced each other 21 times across the 10 HBL PSL seasons with both the teams sharing the spoils almost evenly. They have won 10 games each, while Islamabad United won the one tied game which went to the super over.
Islamabad United's highest total against Lahore Qalandars is 238-3 on 9 March 2019 at National Bank Stadium Karachi. Lahore Qalandars' highest total against Islamabad United is 226-5 on the same date four years later at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
In the Eliminator 2, United will look towards Sahibzada Farhan – 446 runs in 11 matches and Jason Holder – 15 wickets in eight matches, while Qalandars’ Fakhar Zaman (416 runs) and Haris Rauf (15 wickets) will be the players to watch out for in tonight’s contest
