Match overview
Islamabad United beat Rawalpindiz by 7 wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on 4 April 2026. Rawalpindiz posted 156/7 from their 20 overs after a sluggish start with the bat, managing only 35 runs in the powerplay at the cost of two early wickets. Islamabad United's reply was dominant from the off. Their openers put on 62 runs in the powerplay for one wicket, and the middle overs produced a further 95 runs for two more. Islamabad reached the target at 157/3, with no wickets falling in the death overs at all. Sameer Minhas took the Player of the Match award.
For context, Gaddafi Stadium's average first-innings score across 145 T20 matches is 208. Rawalpindiz fell 52 runs short of that benchmark, and their top order's early struggles made Islamabad's chase straightforward. The result continues a difficult run for Rawalpindiz in 2026, extending their losing sequence to three matches.
Venue and conditions
Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is one of the most storied venues in Pakistani cricket. Over 145 T20 matches at the ground, the average first-innings score sits at 208 runs, with the average second-innings score coming in at 177. Teams batting second have won 43 per cent of the time, which puts the toss decision in a slightly different light: choosing to field first here is not the automatic advantage it might be at some grounds.
In this match, the powerplay averages told the real story. The ground's average powerplay contribution is 46 runs; Rawalpindiz managed only 35, two wickets down. Islamabad United went the other way entirely, reaching 62/1 inside six overs. The death overs at Gaddafi typically yield around 43 runs on average. Rawalpindiz actually delivered 58 in that phase, which showed some resilience, but the damage from the opening spell was already done by then.
Islamabad United chose to field after winning the toss, a decision consistent with the 49 per cent toss-field rate recorded at this venue. Dew is a factor at Lahore for evening matches and can aid batters in the second innings, which may have informed the decision.
How to watch
PSL matches are broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket. Streaming is available through Sky Go for existing subscribers, or via NOW TV for those without a full Sky package. Specific broadcast schedules, including UK kick-off times for upcoming fixtures, are published on the Sky Sports website ahead of each round of matches.
Recent form
Rawalpindiz came into this match having lost their previous two PSL fixtures in 2026, against Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi. Three defeats from three games in the current campaign will prompt questions about their top-order reliability, given that the powerplay collapse against Islamabad United mirrored similar early struggles in prior matches.
Islamabad United's form picture is more mixed. A win over Quetta Gladiators in 2026 was followed by a loss to Multan Sultans before this victory. Going back into 2025, they lost to both Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators before beating Karachi Kings. Two wins from five recent outings is modest, but the manner of this victory, chasing 157 with 7 wickets in hand and not needing the death overs at all, suggests a side capable of clicking when conditions suit. Their next fixtures will reveal whether this was a performance built on Rawalpindiz's weaknesses or a sign of broader improvement.