Shane Watson
Shane Watson has had a disappointing Pakistan Super League (PSL) so far Getty

Islamabad United take on Quetta Gladiators in the eleventh match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on 11 February, Thursday.

Where to watch

The match starts at 3.30pm GMT. Live coverage is available in the UK on Prime TV.

Overview

In a clash between two teams who are on the opposite ends of the table, it is Islamabad United who come into this game under pressure. The Misbah-ul-haq-led side are currently stuck in last place on the points table, needing a win here to stay in the competition. Their two-run win over Karachi in their last game would have given the team confidence and it is this confidence that will be needed when they face table toppers Quetta Gladiators on 11 February, Thursday.

The Islamabad outfit have just not been able to put up consistent scores, with their batting failing to fire in all three games, Australian all-rounder Shane Watson perhaps has been the biggest disappointment so far, scoring just 56 runs at a meagre strike rate of 77. For a marquee player, it is not what United would have expected when they bought Watson, Andre Russell and Misbah who are yet to play a match-defining innings.

All is not rosy with the bowling too; the only spark being Saeed Ajmal returning to form, with the off- spinner spinning Islamabad to a win in their last game. If Ajmal can continue to string together such performances, an international recall might not be far off. No changes are expected with Islamabad set to retain the same XI that beat Karachi on 7 February, Sunday.

Table toppers Quetta Gladiators, did not have the best of times in their last game, being comprehensively beaten by Lahore Qalandars on 8 February, Monday. Umar Akmal tore into the Quetta attack with a 40-ball 93, but this should not detract from what has been a good start to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Sarfraz Ahmed's men. Their batting has looked good with Wright, Shehzad and skipper Sarfraz all contributing at important times while their bowling has generally been tight without a standout contribution.

Like Islamabad United, their marquee player Kevin Pietersen is yet to fire. Pietersen has got starts but has not pushed on, something which the team management will hope happens against United. Quetta too are not expected to make any changes to their line-up.

Prediction

Quetta Gladiators to win

Team News

Islamabad United

Squad: Misbah-ul-haq (c), Amad Butt, Babar Azam, Samuel Badree, Sam Billings, Brad Haddin, Imran Khalid, Kamran Ghulam, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Sami, Rumman Raees, Andre Russell, Sharjeel Khan, Umar Amin, Shane Watson, Ashar Zaidi, Hussain Talat, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Siddiq.

Quetta Gladiators

Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Ahmed Shehzad, Akbar-ur-Rehman, Anwar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Bilal Asif, Bismillah Khan, Elton Chigumbara, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Nawaz, Kevin Pietersen, Saad Nasim, Umar Gul, Luke Wright, Zulfiqar Babar, Aizaz Cheema, Rameez Raja, Kumar Sangakkara.