PZ vs IU Live Score, PSL 2026 Qualifier: Islamabad United opt to bowl first

And the match gets underway. Islamabad could be in trouble, as league's highest scorer, Kusal Mendis will come in at no. 3. Everything working for them at the moment.

If Peshawar get to 175 or more, it will be a very competitive total. Babar needs to come good again, and then leave the rest to Muqeem. It is an easy scrpit for Peshawar.

Peshawar Zalmi XI: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousaf, Michael Bracewell, Aaron Hardie, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Khurram Shahzad, Sufyan Muqeem, Basit Ali

Islamabad United XI: Devon Conway (wk), Sameer Minhas, Mohsin Riaz, Shadab Khan (capt), Mark Chapman, Haider Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Chris Green, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hasnain, Richard Gleeson

The pitch looks good and a bit dry. We need to start strong and maintain momentum. Our top-order has performed well, and we hope to continue this trend. Just play according to our plans. We just want to do well in front of the crowds. We have two changes. Aaron Hardie and Mohammad Haris are in; they replace James Vince and Ali Raza

Urooj Mumtaz is with both the skippers and Babar flips the coin. Islamabad win the toss and Shadab Khan has opted to bowl first. Babar Azam will bat first.

Dew can generally be a consideration, in the second innings, and the team bowling second might have an issue bowling spin. So, it is a double edged sword for now, and both skippers will have to be smart about the decisions they make.

Apart from Babar's dominace, it is spinner Sufiyan Muqeem who has been excellent so far. In just 9 matches, for Peshawar, he has gone on to pick 19 wickets where his economoy has been 7.47 only. Islamabad could have a tough time here.

In 9 matches, Babar has been exceptional for Peshawar, which has been a key reason for their success. He has scored 485 runs at an average of 80, and if he gets going, Peshawar will go to the finals easily.

Still some time for the match to start and whichever side wins the toss, should opt to bat first. These playoffs are tough, pressure matches, and it is not the easiest to chase down a big total.

On the flip side, Islamabad United have fully embraced their traditional brand of fearless, high-octane cricket. Under Shadab Khan's captaincy, Islamabad have pulled off some incredible run chases this year. Their middle order is packed with power hitters who can change the complexion of a game in just a few overs, particularly when the fielding restrictions are lifted. Furthermore, their spin department has been exceptionally economical during the middle phases of the innings.

Sameer Minhas has already made his name with 299 runs at a strike rate of 151.77, while Shadab Khan is back in form with 14 wickets and an economy rate of 6.46. With the PSL 2026 Final spot on the line, it will be a clash of two excellent units.

When we talk about pure consistency and flair in PSL 2026, Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United are the first teams that come to mind. Peshawar Zalmi, led by the ever-reliable Babar Azam, has been an absolute force to reckon with this season. Their top-order batting has regularly set massive totals, while their versatile bowling attack has been clinical in defending them. Even Babar Azam has proved his doubters wrong with 485 runs in 9 innings at a strike rate of 141.39. He already has a century and three fifty+ scores. Along with Babar, Kusal Mendis has also been in form, scoring 500 runs. The two are the top scorers of PSL 2026.

Throughout PSL 2026, the National Stadium in Karachi has served two sets of pitches. One has been batter's paradise with Peshawar Zalmi scoring 255/3 against Quetta Gladiators. The other strip has been friendly to bowlers with slow, two-paced pitch making it difficult to play shots at will. 

If the PSL 2026 Qualifier serves a batting-friendly pitch, expect a lot of runs from Peshawar's Kusal Mendis and Babar Azam. Peshawar will also have the advantage if a slow pitch is served with Sufiyan Muqeem in top form.

Historically, the rivalry between these two sides has been incredibly tight, making them two of the most evenly matched teams in tournament history. In 28 matches so far in the Pakistan Super League, Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United have won 13 matches each, with two games ending in a no result. 

Stat	Peshawar Zalmi	Islamabad United
Matches	28	28
No Results	2	2
Matches Won	13	13
Highest Score	232	247