APL 2018, Match 19, Balkh Legends vs Kandahar Knights, Preview: Optimistic Knights still hopeful of a knockout berth

It’s now or never for the Kandahar Knights, who have no other option but to defeat the table-toppers Balkh Legends to enter the knockout phases of the tournament. Both these sides have had contrasting runs in the season and they enter this game with different objectives.

The Legends will be utilising this game as a warm-up before their semifinal clash. They have tried and tested all the possible combinations and they might plant their strongest side for this game. This will not make the Knights’ job any easy and gives skipper Asghar Afghan a lot more to think about.

The Knights on the other side registered just one win in the tournament. They have to win both their games and expect the Nangarhar Leopards to lose their game. The battle lines have been drawn for an exciting encounter and it will be interesting to see if Kandahar have the mettle to survive this intense test.

Playing combinations

Balkh Legends

Munro and Gayle might be opening together as this is the final game before getting into the semifinals. Doeschate has been magnificent thus far and the presence of Nabi in the middle order is always a bonus. Aftab Alam and Mirwais Ashraf have been in brilliant form and will be hoping to continue the same. Gulbadin Naib and Qais Ahmad are the other bowling options for the captain.

Probable XI: Chris Gayle, Colin Munro, Darwish Rasooli, Ryan Ten Doeschate, Ravi Bopara, Mohammad Nabi (c), Gulbadin Naib, Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Aftab Alam, Qais Ahmad, Mirwais Ashraf

Kandahar Knights

Asghar Afghan will open the innings once again with Paul Stirling and Brendon McCullum will continue to play in the middle order to strengthen it. He will be followed by Nasir Jamal, Kevin O’Brien in the middle order. Najibullah Zadran will have to take up the role of a finisher. Karim Janat, Mohammad Naveed, Sayed Shirzad and Waqar Salamkheil will form the bowling unit for the Knights.

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

Focus will be on

Colin Munro (Balkh Legends)

The aggressive southpaw from New Zealand has played a few good cameos but is still due a big knock for Balkh. Colin Munro is usually known to stitch big knocks at a brisk pace and he has not been up to his standards as yet. Nevertheless, he has not been in poor form and the signs clearly suggest that a big knock is lurking around the corner.

Brendon McCullum (Kandahar Knights)

Another Kiwi who is expected to hog a lot of limelight is the former captain Brendon McCullum. He has been in very poor form this season, which didn’t help their cause. The 37-year-old is pretty unpredictable and although there are very few signs of him doing something spectacular, the fans would always remain optimistic in his case.

Stat Attack

12 – Sayed Shirzad has 12 wickets to his name, which keeps him joint-highest in the list of top wicket-takers this season with Isuru Udana and Mujeeb Zadran.

Broadcast Details

TV – DSport

Match Timings – 17:30 IST; 16:00 local

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