Time: Feb 18, 8 PM IST
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Pitch Report
The average first and second innings scores at Lahore read 184 and 164 respectively this season. The team batting first has won 6 of 9 games. That being said, Quetta has managed to chase down a mammoth total of 200.
Teams
Probable XI for Lahore: Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hafeez, Philip Salt (wk), Harry Brook, Rashid Khan, David Wiese, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
Probable XI for Karachi: Babar Azam (c), Sharjeel Khan, Joe Clarke, Qasim Akram, Rohail Nazir (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Imad Wasim, Jordan Thompson, Chris Jordan, Umaid Asif, Mir Hamza
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
Fakhar Zaman’s numbers this season are – for the lack of a better word – breathtaking. He has scored a hundred and 5 fifties in 7 innings. He scored 38 in the only match he could not go past 50 runs. To add fuel to the fire, the hundred came against Lahore.
Although Babar Azam’s strike rate reads a mere 120, it’s the average that matters in fantasy cricket. He has scored 268 at 38.2 including two fifties.
Shaheen Afridi has sniped up 11 wickets in 7 games, going wicketless only once. He has taken one three-wicket and three two-wicket hauls.
Smart Picks
Sharjeel Khan has been blowing hot and cold. Given Babar Azam’s role is to hold one end up, Sharjeel has to take the risk of scaling up the run rate and hence may blow hot and cold. He has scored 231 runs with a strike rate of 128, comprising a fifty. His highest score of the season (60 off 39) beckoned against Lahore.
Although Haris Rauf’s economy has been on the higher side, he has been consistently among wickets (10 in 7 games).
The only half-centurion, other than Fakhar, for Lahore is Kamran Ghulam. It was his 55* off 39 that helped Lahore chase down 142 inside 18 overs, against Quetta.
Joe Clarke has been in impressive form since the Australian T20 League. After a few good knocks at the start of the tournament, he was promoted up the order by Babar. He scored 40 off 29 at No. 3 in their previous game against Multan.
Match Prediction
Lahore edged past Karachi by 6 wickets, chasing down 171 in 19.2 overs earlier this season. As far as the points table is concerned, Karachi have lost all 8 games and are struggling at the bottom. Meanwhile, Lahore have won 5 of 7 games.
So what are you waiting for? Play fantasy cricket now to win cash!