Lahore Qalandars vs Hyderabad Kingsmen Preview & Tips – Kingsmen to start PSL career with loss to the Qalandars

By Site Editor

23 Mar 2026

Site Editor 23 Mar 2026

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Glenn Maxwell has scored 31 and 22 in his last two T20 outings
Qalandars have won their last four T20 matches
Preview, stats & head to head

Lahore Qalandars' captain Shaheen Shah Afridi (R) (Getty Images)

Lahore Qalandars vs Hyderabad Kingsmen Preview & Tips
Head To Head
Lahore Qalandars Form
Hyderabad Kingsmen Form

Lahore Qalandars vs Hyderabad Kingsmen Preview & Tips

Lahore Qalandars begin the defence of their PSL title with a clash against an unknown quantity in the form of the Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Hyderabad Kingsmen will play their first ever Pakistan Super League match, with Marnus Labuschagne leading the newly created side this week.

Glenn Maxwell averages 28.97 in the T20 game with the bat
Qalandars have won six of their last seven in all competitions (L1)

Head To Head

This will be the first time the two sides have met in a competitive cricket match.

Lahore Qalandars Form

Lahore Qalandars may not have been the best team across the group-stage last season, but they saved their best for the knockout stages as they stormed to three consecutive wins in the Eliminators and final.

In the final, they were supreme as they managed to chase down their target of 202 with six wickets and one delivery to spare. After securing their third PSL title, the Qalandars will now target defending their crown, and they will fancy their chances of starting off with a win this week.

The Kingsmen are playing in their first match together, meaning they will not be a well-oiled machine like the Qalandars. With this in mind, I predict that the reigning champions will avoid a shock in game one as they take the points.

Hyderabad Kingsmen Form

The first game of a new season is always a daunting prospect for a side, and this is doubly true for a side playing their first ever match in the eighth edition of the competition.

Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne will lead the Hyderabad Kingsmen in their opening match, but they have their work cut out for themselves against last season’s champions. While taking on any side will provide them with a real challenge, facing the champions will likely be an outing they slip to a defeat in.

While I predict the Kingsmen will mark their debut in the competition with a defeat, I am backing veteran Aussie Glenn Maxwell to get going with the bat in game one. With an average of 28.97 in the T20 game, I am backing the all-rounder to start well in the opening match of the season.

Verdict

Lahore Qalandars v Hyderabad Kingsmen

I am backing the Qalandars to secure victory in the opening match of the season despite failing to stop Maxwell scoring any runs.

Lahore Qalandars

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