PSL 2023 match preview: Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars

Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the first encounter in the 2023 PSL

What's the match?

Multan Sultans takes on Lahore Qalandars in the opening match of PSL8.

When is it taking place?

The match is scheduled to start at 8pm local time (3pm GMT) on Monday, February 13.

Where is the match being played?

The Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan will host this fixture.

Who's got the form?

The opening match of the 2023 PSL sees a repeat of last year's final.

Both teams will be looking to get off to a good start so they can go the distance once again.

What's the key match-up?

Mohammad Rizwan captains the Sultans and in last year's competition he built a formidable opening partnership with Shan Masood. They were the second and third highest run-scorers last year so the Qalandars will be hoping their captain and fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, will be back fit and in form.

The Qalandars will have Fakhar Zaman opening the batting . He topped the run scoring charts last year. Shahnawaz Dahani will be leading the bowling for the Sultans.

^{Mohammad Rizwan captains Multan Sultans [Getty Images]}

What is the team news?

Rilee Roussow will likely not make it to Pakistan in time for the Sultans due to the delayed SA20 final.

Lahore Qalandars will hope Shaheen Afridi is fully recovered from his injury problems.

What are the squads?

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan, Khushdil Shah, Rilee Rossouw, Shan Masood, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tim David, Abbas Afridi, Ihsanullah, David Miller, Josh Little, Akeal Hosein, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Sameen Gul, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Sarwar, Arafat Minhas, Kieron Pollard, Ammad Butt, Wayne Parnell (partial/full replacement for Adil Rashid), Izharulhaq Naveed (partial replacement for David Miller)

Lahore Qalandars: Rashid Khan, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, David Wiese, Abdullah Shafique, 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)

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

What are the possible starting XIs?

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, Usman Khan, Tim David, David Miller, Kieron Pollard, Khushdil Shah, Usama Mir, Shahnawaz Dahani, Ihsanullah, Abbas Afridi

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

What is the weather forecast?

Dry and mild, with temperatures of around 19 degrees Celsius at the start of play.

^{Lahore Qalandars are led by Shaheen Shah Afridi [Getty Images]}

What are the odds?

Multan Sultans are the favourites, with best odds of 8/11 available. Lahore Qalandars are available at 5/4.

What's the prediction?

Both teams should be strong again this year, but much will depend on the fitness and form of Shaeen Afridi for the Qalandars. The Sultans top order may prove to be too much for the Qalandars in the opening game.

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).