Islamabad United face Peshawar Zalmi at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Tuesday (2pm local) – the 7th match of PSL 2026. Both sides are in the early stages of their campaign. Check the latest standings at Statz Cricket for live form ahead of the toss.

This is one of PSL’s classic rivalries – 11 meetings since 2022, with ISU edging it 6-5 overall. But recent momentum tells a different story. PZ won their last head-to-head (May 2025) and ISU are yet to find any consistency in this campaign.

Venue – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

The Gaddafi Stadium is the PSL’s home for this entire tournament. Avg first innings: 178.4 – well above par, and supported by a bat first win rate of 61.2%. That’s the most important number to take from this preview: if you’re batting second at Gaddafi this season, you’re already fighting the odds.

Spin is again the dominant bowling mode – 7.82 economy vs 9.26 for seam. The most recent matches here back this up: the PZ vs Rawalpindiz game on Friday produced 432 runs combined, while both PSL games this week have been high-scoring affairs. This is an explosive surface.

ISU’s Gaddafi record is alarming: 3-15 from 18 matches. PZ’s is the opposite: 10-7. This ground suits Peshawar.

Form and H2H

PSL 2026 is still in its early stages for both sides. Check the PSL standings for current W/L records before the toss. H2H history provides the best context for this matchup.

H2H overall: ISU lead 6-5 PZ across 11 meetings since 2022. But last five: ISU won three, PZ won two – including the most recent meeting (May 2025), where PZ chased down 143 with ease. At Gaddafi specifically, PZ’s 10-7 record speaks for itself.

Predicted Lineups

Islamabad United (last XI vs Multan Sultans, 28 Mar 2026): Shadab Khan (c), Devon Conway (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Mark Chapman, Andries Gous (wk), Sameer Minhas, Haider Ali, Richard Gleeson, Salman Irshad, Salman Mirza, Imad Wasim

Peshawar Zalmi (last XI vs Rawalpindiz, 28 Mar 2026): Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Kusal Mendis, Aaron Hardie, Michael Bracewell, Abdul Samad, Aamer Jamal, Sufiyan Muqeem, Ali Raza, Farhan Yousaf, Shoriful Islam

Lineups based on last XI from Statz Cricket data. Check the Statz Cricket projections tab for any confirmed changes after the toss.

Key Players to Watch

Babar Azam is the standout performer in this H2H – 329 runs from 11 meetings, and 572 at Gaddafi Stadium overall (top scorer at the venue). He’s Peshawar’s anchor and the man ISU most need to dismiss early.

Mohammad Haris is the H2H runs leader with 378 – the most of any player in this fixture. Coming off a big chase performance on Friday, he’s in form and dangerous at the top of the order.

Shadab Khan is ISU’s most effective weapon at Gaddafi – 17 wickets at the ground, more than anyone else from either side. If ISU are to cause an upset, they need Shadab to control the middle overs and create pressure with the bat.

Imad Wasim is the spin option to watch for ISU – on a surface where spin economy is 7.82 vs 9.26 for seam, a left-arm spinner at this ground can be decisive.

Verdict

Peshawar Zalmi are the pick here. Better Gaddafi record (10-7 vs 3-15 for ISU), stronger H2H batting in this fixture, and the toss could be decisive on a bat-first surface. ISU need Shadab to fire but the ground numbers heavily favour PZ.

Peshawar Zalmi to win.

Bet Builder Angles

Check the Statz Cricket Bet Builder for live player prop hit rates. Key angles:

• Babar Azam to score 30+ runs – 329 H2H runs, 572 at Gaddafi, in-form captain
• Mohammad Haris to score 25+ runs – H2H top scorer (378), fresh off a big chase performance
• Shadab Khan to take 2+ wickets – 17 Gaddafi wickets, spin surface, ISU’s best chance of keeping it competitive
• Match 1st innings total over 175 – Gaddafi avg first innings is 178.4, bat first teams are clearing 175 regularly this tournament

All stats and projections from Statz Cricket. Check the upcoming fixtures page for the latest on all PSL 2026 matches.