APL 2018, Match 11, Kabul Zwanan vs Nangarhar Leopards, Preview: Leopards in hunt to regain the lost momentum

Two sides carrying contrasting momentum will collide in Sharjah and the game holds a lot of importance for both Kabul Zwanan and Nangarhar Leopards for different reasons. The table-toppers seem to be on a roll and they have all the boxes ticked when it comes to their playing combinations.

On paper, there’s not a lot of strength on either side which makes the one superior and the other inferior. But the form of a few individuals is what is letting the Leopards down and the same reason has kept the Zwanan side on top of the table.

Rashid Khan took some hammering in the game that was played on Thursday, a sight we haven’t seen often in the last two years. The young leader would be aiming to pull himself back to the top of his game and help his side put another foot closer to the knockout stages.

Playing combinations

Kabul Zwanan

Hazratullah and Luke Ronchi will be opening the innings for Kabul and in the middle order, they have some experienced names like Javed Ahmadi, Colin Ingram and Laurie Evans. Rashid will come in at number 6 or 7 to finish off the innings. The skipper will hold the key with the ball as well with support coming from Wayne Parnell, Muslim Musa, Fareed Ahmad and Fitrullah Khawari.

Probable XI: Hazratullah Zazai, Luke Ronchi(w), Javed Ahmadi, Colin Ingram, Laurie Evans, Shahidullah Kamal, Rashid Khan (C), Wayne Parnell, Fareed Ahmad, Muslim Musa, Fitratullah Khawari

Nangarhar Leopards

Anton and Najeeb Tarakai will open the batting for the Leopards. They have some amazing local stars in the middle like Rahmat Shah, Shahidi, Shafiqullah and the powerhouse Andre Russell who give a formidable look to the line-up. The duo of Mujeeb and Zahir Khan will remain the two most important bowlers despite Mujeeb’s poor start thus far. Naveen-ul-Haq will be keen to continue his good form.

Probable XI: Najeeb Tarakai, Anton Devcich, Rahmat Shah, Andre Russell, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Shafiqullah Shafiq (wk), Ben Cutting (C), Mitchell McClenaghan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Zahir Khan

Focus will be on

Rashid Khan (Kabul Zwanan)

We have a lot of times in the IPL and other leagues that Rashid Khan comes back stronger than ever before when he has a bad game. He didn’t have a great outing with the bat and ball against the Knights, but such silence can only signal a storm coming in the future. Arguably one of the best cricketers in the world right, Rashid’s quality just cannot be doubted.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Nangarhar Leopards)

The last time these two sides met, Hazratullah Zazai battered Mujeeb Ur Rahman to all parts. The canny off-spinner is thirsty for vengeance and after exhibiting his full potential against the Legends on Thursday, he would be eager to continue the good momentum a little longer.

Stat Attack

5 – Mitchell McClenaghan needs five more wickets to complete 200 wickets in T20s.

7 – Colin Ingram registered single-digit scores in seven of his previous eight T20 games.

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