PSL 2023 match preview: Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings

What's the match?

Lahore Qalandars take on Karachi Kings in the next match of PSL8.

When is it taking place?

The match is scheduled to start at 7pm local time (2pm GMT) on Sunday, March 12.

Where is the match being played?

The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will play host to this fixture.

Who's got the form?

Two sides at opposite ends of the table. Defending champions Lahore Qalandars have won seven matches from a possible nine and sit top of the table while Karachi Kings have struggled for form, winning just twice. They have lost their past three matches.

Imad Wasim has been the standout performer in a disappointing season for the Kings, scoring 359 runs at a strike rate of 174.27, while Mohammad Amir has taken a team-leading nine wickets.

For Lahore Qalandars, Fakhar Zaman has scored 365 runs at a strike rate of 173.80 while Sikandar Raza, Sam Billings, and Abdullah Shafique have also made explosive contributions with the bat. Rashid Khan (15) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (14) are the top-two wicket-takers for their side.

When the two sides met in February, the Kings completed a surprise 67-run win.

What's the key match-up?

Karachi Kings are one of the few sides that has succeeded in keeping Lahore Qalandars quiet, bowling them out for 118 earlier in the competition. Akif Javed picked up 4 for 28 while Imad Wasim walked away with player of the match honours after scoring 35 runs (19 balls) and returning figures of 1 for 23.

They'll be hoping for a similar performance from their bowlers, otherwise they could be in for a tough day against Lahore Qalandars' stacked batting line-up.

Defending champions Lahore Qalandars are flying [Arif Ali/Getty Images]

What is the team news?

Karachi Kings haven't settled on an XI during PSL8, with only three players - Imad Wasim, Matthew Wade, and Shoaib Malik - featuring in all nine matches. Wade, who has moved around the order should be expected to open alongside Adam Rossington, who scored a half-century last time out.

Kamran Ghulam came into Lahore Qalandars' XI against Islamabad United. The defending champions do not have any fresh injury or availability news.

What are the squads?

Lahore Qalandars: Rashid Khan, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, David Wiese, Abdullah Shafique, Harry Brook, Kamran Ghulam, Zaman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, Liam Dawson, Dilbar Hussain, Mirza Tahir Baig, Ahmed Danlyal, Shawaiz Irfan, Jordan Cox, Jalat Khan, Ahsan Bhatti, Sam Billings (partial replacement for Rashid Khan), Shane Dadswell (replacement for Harry Brook), Kusal Mendis (partial replacement for Jordan Cox), Shai Hope (replacement for Kusal Mendis)

Karachi Kings: Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Malik, Aamir Yamin, Mir Hamza (injured, February 15), Sharjeel Khan, Qasim Akram, Matthew Wade, Imran Tahir, James Vince, James Fuller, Andrew Tye, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Akhlaq, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Tabraiz Shamsi, Mohammad Umar, Ben Cutting, Musa Khan, Faisal Akram (partial replacement for Tabraiz Shamsi), Adam Rossington (partial replacement for James Vince), Akif Javed (replaced Mir Hamza)

*squads are for the overall competition and not specific to this match

What are the possible starting XIs?

Lahore Qalandars: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Hussain Talat, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

Karachi Kings: Matthew Wade, Adam Rossington, Tayyab Tahir, Qasim Akram, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, James Fuller, Aamer Yamin, Akif Javed, Tabraiz Shamsi, Mohammad Amir

What is the weather forecast?

The weather is expected to be cloudy with sunny intervals while temperatures could peak around 32 degrees Celsius.

Imad Wasim has been the standout performer for Karachi Kings [Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images]

What are the odds?

Lahore Qalandars are the favourites at 8/11 while Karachi Kings are the outsiders with odds of 11/10.

What's the prediction?

Don't be fooled by Karachi Kings' victory earlier in the season, Lahore Qalandars are the better side and should finish the group stage with a win.

Where can I watch the game?

Cricket fans in Pakistan will be able to watch PSL8 on A Sports, PTV Sports and TEN Sports on TV. Streamed matches will be available on Daraz App, tapmadTV and Tamasha.

Viewers around the world can watch the action live on Fox Sports (Australia), Sony (South Asia outside Pakistan), Willow TV (North America), Flow Sports (Caribbean), Sky Sports (United Kingdom), Sky Sport (New Zealand), Super Sport (sub-Saharan Africa) and, Etisalat and STARZPLAY (Mena).