Summary Islamabad United win toss and opt to bowl against RawalPindiz in rain-delayed PSL 11 clash at Gaddafi Stadium, marking the teams’ first-ever meeting.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Islamabad United won the toss and elected to field first against RawalPindiz in the 12th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, in what marks the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
The fixture carries added intrigue as RawalPindiz are making their debut appearance in the tournament, while Islamabad United enter as one of the league’s most decorated teams, having clinched the title three times in previous editions.
Proceedings, however, were briefly disrupted due to rain, delaying the scheduled start. The toss, initially postponed due to inclement weather, was later conducted at 7:20pm local time. Match officials confirmed that play was expected to begin at 7:40pm without any reduction in overs, following an improvement in conditions.
Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan opted to bowl first, backing his side’s bowling unit to make early inroads against a RawalPindiz batting line-up still searching for consistency in their maiden campaign.
The clash represents a historic encounter between the two franchises, with RawalPindiz stepping into the PSL for the first time. Despite a promising squad featuring international and domestic talent, the newcomers are yet to register a victory in the tournament.
Led by Mohammad Rizwan, RawalPindiz have endured a difficult start, suffering back-to-back defeats against Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings. Both losses came by five wickets, highlighting areas of concern in both batting and bowling departments.
Islamabad United, meanwhile, have shown flashes of their pedigree despite an inconsistent start. After opening their campaign with a five-wicket loss to Multan Sultans, their second fixture against Peshawar Zalmi was washed out. They responded emphatically in their most recent outing, securing an eight-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators.
The contrasting form of the two sides adds further weight to the encounter, with United looking to build momentum while RawalPindiz aim to secure their first points.
Team changes
Both teams made notable changes to their playing XIs ahead of the match.
RawalPindiz brought in Dian Forrester and Jalat Khan, replacing Naseem Shah and Cole McConchie, signalling a shift in their strategy following consecutive defeats.
Islamabad United also adjusted their combination, handing opportunities to Richard Gleeson and Mohammad Faiq in place of Mohammad Salman Mirza and Andries Gous.
