APL 2018, Match 18, Kandahar Knights vs Paktia Panthers, Match Prediction: Who will win the Match?

The penultimate day of the league stage will see the Kandahar Knights lock horns with the Paktia Panthers in the ongoing Afghanistan Premier League (APL). The Knights have two games left including this one and they will have to win both to qualify for the knockouts now. The Panthers, on the other hand, have confirmed their place and will be looking to continue their winning momentum ahead of the semi-finals.

Asghar Afghan will be hoping that the team takes heart from their victory against the Leopards where they went on to defend a meagre total. However, the team needs to respond to the calamity now and the core players should take the responsibility. The lack of quality options in the squad has been a problem for them but the existing group is talented enough to turn the tables on the opposition.

Paktia Panthers are one of the title contenders clearly. Their skipper Mohammad Shahzad has been excellent with the bat at the top of the order, while Isuru Udana is consistently pegging away with the wickets at crucial junctures. They should just keep playing in the same vein and the results will follow.

Pitch and Weather

Nothing much should change in regards to the climate in Sharjah. The dew will play its part in the evening as well which should the prompt the toss-winning team to field first. The pitch gets slower in the night and the side batting first should be aware of not aiming too high.

Team Combinations

Paktia Panthers

Panthers can go the Legends’ way who gave chances to the benched players in their previous game having sealed their place in the knockouts. But they will also be aware of the fact that it is all about the momentum in these tournaments. The bowlers might get a little bit of rest in this game given that they have toiled hard in the sapping heat over the last two weeks.

Probable XI: Mohammad Shahzad (c & wk), Ishanullah Janat, Cameron Delport, Sikandar Raza, Samiullah Shenwari, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shahid Afridi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Ziaw Rahman, Isuru Udana, Yousuf Zazai/Yamin Ahmadzai

Kandahar Knights

The Knights don’t have any luxury like their opponents as they are in a must-win situation. Brendon McCullum and Paul Stirling have to provide the team with a good start and the skipper Asghar needs to lead from the front. Karim Janat will once again look to make an impact with his all-round skills while the others will have to chip in as well.

Probable XI: Paul Stirling, Karim Sadiq, Brendon McCullum, Asghar Afghan (c), Riki Wessels (wk), Najibullah Zadran, Sayed Shirzad, Mohammad Naveed, Nasir Jamal, Karim Janat, Waqar Salamkheil

Probable Top Performers

Sikandar Raza – Paktia Panthers | Brendon McCullum – Kandahar Knights

Broadcast Details

TV – DSport

Match Timings – 21:30 IST; 20:00 local

The prediction is for the Paktia Panthers to continue their dominant show

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