Time: 25 Feb, 8.00PM
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Pitch Report
The wicket stays true for most part of the game. This is probably one of the reasons why toss hasn’t been an influential factor in deciding the outcome of the match at Lahore.
Teams
Probable XI for Lahore: Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hafeez, Philip Salt (wk), Harry Brook, David Wiese, Samit Patel, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
Probable XI for Islamabad: Alex Hales, Will Jacks, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Liam Dawson, Hasan Ali, Athar Mahmood, Zahid Mahmood, Waqas Maqsood
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
Fakhar Zaman has been the leading run-scorer (584) in the tournament. Against Islamabad, he has scores of 38 and 51 in the league stages.
Shaheen Afridi has picked 15 wickets thus far. He has a rare ability to strike, regardless of the situation.
Shadab Khan has been Islamabad’s best player this season. Despite a three-match absence, the skipper once again demonstrated his value in Eliminator 1. He took the important wicket of Kamran Akmal and later complimented it with a brisk innings of 22 runs from 17 balls at No. 3.
Smart Picks
After a brief break, Alex Hales returned to the league with a blistering 62 off 49 to help his team overcome the challenge of Peshawar.
After going wicketless in the initial stages, Faheem Ashraf has suddenly bagged 7 wickets in the last three outings, including a three-wicket haul against Lahore.
Whether it is setting a score or chasing, Islamabad will depend on the big-hitting ability of Azam Khan. He has been a game-changer in fantasy leagues too.
Mohammad Hafeez has not been at his best. However, he is arguably the most experienced cricketer in the league and hashas a proven record in knockout games.
Harry Brook will have fond memories of his scintillating century against Islamabad a few days ago, for which he received the Player of the Match award
Match Preview
Lahore will come into this eliminator high on confidence after having beaten Islamabad twice in the tournament. That said, given it is a knockout contest, both teams will feel the additional pressure.