APL 2018: Match 20, Kabul Zwanan vs Paktia Panthers Preview: Momentum at stake as both sides prepare for a dead-rubber

Rashid Khan might be playing his A side, so would be the case with Mohammad Shahzad.

Published - 18 Oct 2018, 10:21 IST | Updated - 18 Oct 2018, 10:21 IST

3 Min Read

The tournament started with a cracker of a contest between Kabul Zwanan and the Paktia Panthers and the group stages will be ending with the same sides colliding at the same ground. But this time, their objectives are completely different as the only thing at stake for these semifinalist sides is momentum.

Rashid Khan might be playing his second string side, so would be the case with Mohammad Shahzad. This game might not hold a lot of significance in context to the title chase, but neither would want to mess anything with their form.

Mohammad Shahzad has been in terrific form personally as well and is contention to be the highest run-scorer of the tournament. Both the captains have done a tremendous job when it comes to leading the side from the front, but a bigger challenge lies ahead as they clash to confirm a spot in the top 2.

Playing Combinations

Kabul Zwanan

Ronchi and Hazratullah Zazai already have a couple of 100-run partnerships this tournament. Colin Ingram and Laurie Evans will be key in the middle alongside Javed Ahmadi. Rashid Khan will be accompanied by the experienced campaigner Wayne Parnell, Fareed Ahmad, Younas Ahmadzai and Muslim Musa in the bowling lineup.

Probable XI: Luke Ronchi (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Javed Ahmadi, Colin Ingram, Laurie Evans, Shahidullah Kamal, Rashid Khan (c), Younas Ahmadzai, Wayne Parnell, Fareed Ahmad, Muslim Musa/Zahir Shehzad

Paktia Panthers

The very exuberant Shahzad and Ihsanullah Janat have been a great source of rapture and thrill thus far and nothing less is expected in the upcoming games. Sikandar Raza, Samiullah Shenwari and Cameron Delport will be forming the middle order for the Panthers. Ziaw Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf will be assisting Isuru Udana, who has been one of the best bowlers in the tournament.

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

Focus will be on

Hazratullah Zazai (Kabul Zwanan)

One of the contenders to be the player of the tournament, Hazratullah Zazai is certainly eyeing a spot in the World Cup squad. After hitting six consecutive sixes a couple of games earlier, he announced himself on the big stage in a grandiose way. The youngster would love to deliver a few more terrific performances to help his side win the title.

Mohammad Shahzad (Paktia Panthers)

Skipper Mohammad Shahzad’s terrific cameos in the powerplay have been one of the most entertaining facets of the tournament. Pretty much every game, he managed to give his side a good start. He still has a big role to play and his work is certainly not done yet. It will be interesting to see how his troops will perform in the knockout stages.