Pakistan Super League (PSL 2019): Match 1, Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars: Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI Updates & Fantasy Cricket Tips - February 14th, 2019

With one cricketing extravaganza in the Bangladesh Premier League concluding recently, the action now moves on to another one in the form of the Pakistan Super League with defending champions, Islamabad United taking on Lahore Qalandars in the first match of the tournament in Dubai.

While all the Pakistani franchises have fine-tuned their teams with vital acquisitions during the draft, Islamabad United walk into yet another PSL with the favourites tag while 2019 provides Lahore with an opportunity to write themselves into the history books with the likes of AB de Villiers and Shaheen Afridi in their ranks. With Dubai playing host to the first phase of the PSL 2019, a highly competitive start to what promises to be another successful PSL is expected on Thursday.

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Squads to choose from:

Islamabad United:

Luke Ronchi, Sahibzada Farhan, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Zafar Gohar, Waqas Maqsood, Rumman Raees, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Sami (C), Ian Bell, Philip Salt, Cameron Delport, Samit Patel, Muhammad Musa, Wayne Parnell, Zahir Khan, Amad Butt, Rizwan Hussain, Nasir Nawaz.

Lahore Qalandars:

Mohammad Hafeez (C), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, AB de Villiers, Yasir Shah, Sohail Akhtar, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Rahat Ali, Agha Salman, Hassan Khan, Anton Devcich, Carlos Brathwaite, Corey Anderson, Sandeep Lamichhane, Mohammad Imran, Umair Masood, Brendan Taylor, Gohar Ali, Aizaz Cheema, Haris Rauf, David Wiese, Hardus Viljoen

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Playing XI Updates:

Islamabad United:

Islamabad have the most well-rounded side in the competition, stacked with experienced Pakistani players such as Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Hussain Talat. With Misbah-ul-Haq's retirement, Mohammed Sami has taken up the captaincy reins and will look to lead another successful campaign in 2019.

Luke Ronchi, the player of the tournament last year, should open the batting with Farhan while Samit Patel and Shadab Khan should handle the spin duties.

Possible XI: Ronchi(WK), Farhan, Talat, Delport, Samit, Asif Ali, Shadab, Faheem, Parnell, Sami(C), Maqsood/Raees.

Lahore Qalandars:

After finishing at the bottom of the table last season, Lahore have invested heavily with Mohammed Hafeez appointed as captain as well. AB de Villiers is set to play for Lahore Qalandars this season and with the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman in the team, Lahore can finally break out and challenge for the trophy.

Rahat Ali and Yasir Shah will be key for Qalandars while Agha Salman had a good PSL and Global T20 tournament in 2018 and will be expected to perform for them as well.

Possible XI: Zaman, Devcich, ABD, Hafeez(C), Salman, Ali/Masood (WK), Wiese, Yasir Shah, Rahat, Viljoen and Shaheen Afridi

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Fantasy Tips and Suggestions:

Wicket-keeper: Luke Ronchi was adjudged the man of the series after an explosive season at the top of the order for Islamabad United in 2018. With a lack of any alternative, Luke Ronchi is a safe and viable pick to go along with in your fantasy side.

Batsmen: AB de Villiers, Fakhar Zaman and Hussain Talat are must haves in the side considering their batting prowess in the T20 format. AB de Villiers' stint with the Rangpur Riders was quite successful with the South African even scoring a hundred in the league phase. Asif Ali's form has been dismal for the Pakistan national side but is one player who could make an impact come Thursday with Sahibzada Farhan also a possible option.

All-rounders: Faheem Ashraf PSL record speaks for itself with the all-rounder finishing with the most wickets last season. Along with the likes of Agha Salman and Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf could prove to be a wonderful addition into your fantasy team. Shadab Khan could pave the way for Mohammed Hafeez with his off-spin definitely coming in play with a number of left-handers in the Islamabad batting.

Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi has grown in leaps and bounds since his breakout performance against the Multan Sultans last season and is one of the world's best young prospects with the ball. With a number of experienced candidates available, two out of Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali and Mohammed Sami would suffice along with the baby faced, Afridi.

Captain: AB de Villiers is the obvious choice for captain with his recent form justifying his selection. His ability to put pressure instantly on the opposition along with his daredevil batting will be key for Lahore. In case of a different option, Mohammed Hafeez and Hussain Talat are great options too.

Fantasy Suggestion #1: Luke Ronchi(WK), AB de Villiers, Fakhar Zaman, Hussain Talat, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Agha Salman, Mohammed Sami, Shaheen Afridi and Rahat Ali. Captain: AB de Villiers.

Fantasy Suggestion #2: Luke Ronchi(WK), AB de Villiers, Fakhar Zaman, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Mohammed Hafeez, Faheem Ashraf, Agha Salman, Mohammed Sami, Yasir Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Captain: Mohammed Hafeez

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