Multan Sultans vs Rawalpindiz PSL 2026 Preview: The Winless Are Coming to Lahore

5th April 2026

Rawalpindiz are PSL 2026’s new franchise – and it is showing. Three games in, three defeats, bottom of the table. They travel to Gaddafi Stadium on Monday to face a Multan Sultans side who have shown they can win but are not exactly rolling either. This is a game Multan cannot afford to drop if they want to keep pace with the top three.

Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Gaddafi Stadium averages 160 in the first innings (17 PSL 2026 matches at this ground), with a projected total of 323 for this fixture against a ground average of 310. Bat-first sides win 59.3% of the time here – one of the stronger toss-bat venues in PSL. The bowling data tells the spin story: spinners average 8.59 econ vs 10.24 for seam, and spin has been consistently rewarded. Sides posting 160+ in the first innings have been difficult to chase down at this venue in 2026.

Form and H2H

Multan Sultans sit 4th in the PSL 2026 standings with 4 points from 3 games (W2, L1). Their last five: L-W-W-L-L. The two wins were convincing – beating Islamabad United (175/5 chased down ISU’s 171/8) and Hyderabad Kingsmen by 3 wickets. But they lost to Lahore Qalandars last time out (165/5 v 185/5 via D/L), which dented some momentum. Not in crisis, but need to settle.

Rawalpindiz are 7th (and last in PSL 2026’s expanded format), winless through three games (L3). Their defeats: by 4 wickets to Peshawar Zalmi, by 2 runs to Karachi Kings (tight one), and by 7 wickets to Islamabad United. They have scored runs – averaging 189 per innings – but the bowling has given away too much (avg conceded 191.3). There is no H2H record between these sides; Rawalpindiz are a brand new franchise for 2026, so this is genuinely a first meeting.

Statz Projections

Statz gives Multan 63% win probability against Rawalpindiz’s 35%. Model confidence is 30% – early-season PSL data keeps the uncertainty elevated. Projected total 323 (1st innings 164, 2nd innings 159), fractionally above the ground average of 310. Steven Smith tops the Multan Dream11 projections at 78.9 points; Rishad Hossain leads for Rawalpindiz at 72.4 D11 – his leg-spin and big-hitting ability make him a dual threat. Full projections on Statz Cricket.

Predicted Lineups

Multan Sultans (last XI vs Lahore Qalandars, 03 Apr 2026): Sahibzada Farhan (WK), Steven Smith, Ashton Turner (C), Shan Masood, Josh Philippe (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Peter Siddle, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Ismail, Faisal Akram. Check the fixture page for any confirmed changes after the toss.

Rawalpindiz (last XI vs Islamabad United, 04 Apr 2026): Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Yasir Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Abdullah Fazal, Sam Billings, Daryl Mitchell, Dian Forrester, Rishad Hossain, Jalat Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Amir Khan. Check the fixture page for confirmed changes after the toss.

Key Players

Steven Smith continues to be Multan’s form batter – projected 37.5 runs at SR 151.8, 78.9 D11 points. He has taken catches in all three Multan games this season (3-game streak per Statz active streaks) and brings consistent runs at number two. He is the safe pick for any Dream11 or fantasy build around this match.

Sahibzada Farhan opens for Multan and has scored 20+ runs in consecutive games. Projected 36.1 runs at SR 142.8, 74.0 D11. A big knock at Gaddafi is very much in his locker – he is comfortable at this venue and has the game to punish a Rawalpindiz bowling attack that has been giving away runs.

Peter Siddle has quietly been one of Multan’s most reliable bowlers – on a 3-game wicket-taking streak (Statz active streaks). Projected 1.1 wickets at 8.2 econ, 56.8 D11. At a venue where seam is expensive, Siddle’s clever variation and slower-ball work give him an edge over the pure express options.

Rishad Hossain is Rawalpindiz’s most likely match-winner – projected 1.5 wickets at 9.2 econ and a genuine batting contribution lower down (4.2 D11 bat, 72.4 overall). His leg-spin on a spin-friendly Gaddafi surface could cause Multan problems if he gets the ball to rip.

Verdict

Multan at 63% on a ground they know, against a new franchise still finding its feet. Statz is right to back Multan here – the batting depth is better, the bowling is more settled, and Rawalpindiz are yet to win a game. Take Multan, take the bat-first advantage if the toss goes their way.

Bet Builder Angles

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