Match Preview
Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars are set to face off in the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 on April 11 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Defending champions Islamabad United will look to kick off their title defense with a strong performance, while Lahore Qalandars aims to bounce back after a tough previous season.
Historically, the two teams have been evenly matched, with both securing nine wins in 19 encounters. Key players to watch include Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim for Islamabad, and Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf leading Lahore’s bowling attack. With both sides packed with talent, fans can expect a thrilling and closely contested battle to open the season.
Match Information
| Detail | Info |
| Match | IU vs LQ, Match 1, IPL 2025 |
| Date | Friday, 11 April 2025 |
| Time | 9:00 PM (IST) |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| Live Streaming | Fan code |
Weather Report
| Temperature- 24°C |
| Humidity- 40% |
| Wind Speed- 15 km/h |
| Chance of Rain- Low – Partly cloudy |
Pitch Report:
The pitch at Rawalpindi is flat and batting-friendly, often leading to high scores. Pacers may get early movement, while spinners come into play in the middle overs. Overall, it favors batters and chasing is usually a good option.
Head-to-Head Record
| Matches Played | 19 |
| IU Won | 10 |
| LQ Won | 9 |
Probable Playing XIs
Islamabad United (IU):
Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, Matthew Short, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, Jason Holder, Haider Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Benjamin Dwarshuis, Colin Munro, Rumman Raees, Andries Gous, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Irshad, Rassie van der Dussen, Riley Meredith, Sam Billings, Hunain Shah, Saad Masood
Lahore Qalandar (LQ):
Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi, Daryl Mitchell, Haris Rauf, Sikandar Raza, Kusal Perera, Abdullah Shafique, Jahandad Khan, Zaman Khan, David Wiese, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali Mohammad Akhlaq, Rishad Hossain, Muhammad Naeem, Salman Ali Mirza, Tom Curran, Momin Qamar, Muhammad Azab
Top Dream11 Picks
Top Batters:
Daryl Mitchell
Fakhar Zaman
Rassie van der Dussen
Top All-rounders:
Matthew Short
Shadab Khan
Salman Ali Agha
Sikandar Raza
Top Bowlers:
Naseem Shah
Shaheen Afridi
Haris Rauf
Wicket Keeper:
Sam Billings
Here is the Best Playing 11 for Today’s IU vs LQ Dream11 Team looks like
Dream11 Fantasy Tips
- Batters from both sides: Daryl Mitchell, Fakhar Zaman
- Pick at least two spinners due to pitch conditions: Shadab Khan
- Captain: Matthew Short
- Vice-captain: Fakhar Zaman
Injury Updates
There are no injury updates as of now.
Final Match Prediction
Today’s Winner Prediction: The Team batting second to win the match
Given the chasing-friendly pitch at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, and recent form, the toss could play a big role in deciding the winner.
Disclaimer:
The prediction is based on the author’s analysis, current form, pitch report, and player performance. Please make your decision based on your own judgment.