Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators bring different identities to every meeting: Islamabad the league’s most successful franchise with three titles, Quetta the 2019 champions with the head-to-head edge. Here are the squads, the key players, the venues that host this fixture and what to expect when they meet.
Quick answer: Islamabad United are captained by Shadab Khan and built around all-round depth; Quetta Gladiators are captained by Saud Shakeel with a spin-heavy attack led by Abrar Ahmed. Their games are staged at Pakistan’s four PSL venues — Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Multan.
Islamabad United: squad & strengths
Islamabad’s identity under captain Shadab Khan is aggression with the bat and depth with the ball. Their PSL 2026 core featured wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous, New Zealand pair Devon Conway and Mark Chapman, Haider Ali, and an all-round engine room of Shadab, Imad Wasim and Faheem Ashraf, with Salman Irshad leading the pace attack. Islamabad’s three titles (2016, 2018, 2024) make them the benchmark franchise — no other club has won the PSL three times.
Quetta Gladiators: squad & strengths
Quetta, captained by Saud Shakeel, have rebuilt around young Pakistani talent and mystery spin. Their recent XIs have featured emerging opener Shamyl Hussain, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw, Hasan Nawaz and keeper Ben McDermott, with the bowling led by mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq and West Indian quick Alzarri Joseph. The 2019 champions, they swept all three meetings with Islamabad in 2025 — including the 263/3 record win.
Venues
Islamabad vs Quetta fixtures rotate across the PSL’s four Pakistani venues:
- Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore — hosted their PSL 2026 clash (Islamabad won by 8 wickets).
- National Stadium, Karachi — Quetta’s adopted home for much of the league’s history.
- Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium — Islamabad’s home ground and a high-scoring venue.
- Multan Cricket Stadium — the newest of the four hosts.
What to expect: high scores at Rawalpindi, spin playing a bigger role at Karachi and Multan, and Lahore’s big-match atmosphere. Quetta’s edge has historically come from their batting firepower; Islamabad’s from all-round balance and title-winning experience.
Who is the captain of Islamabad United?
Shadab Khan — the Pakistan all-rounder has led the franchise through its recent seasons, including the 2024 title.
Who is the captain of Quetta Gladiators?
Saud Shakeel, the technically accomplished left-hander, captains Quetta.
Where do Islamabad United play their home matches?
At Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, though PSL fixtures are spread across Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Multan.
