CPL 2020: 1st semi-final, Trinbago Knight Riders vs Jamaica Tallawahs– Cricket Match Prediction: Who will win the game?

In both their league games, the Knights defeated the Tallawahs without dropping much sweat.

Published - 08 Sept 2020, 14:29 IST | Updated - 08 Sept 2020, 14:29 IST

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Trinbago Knight Riders were unstoppable in the round-robin stage of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), winning all their 10 matches. However, Kieron Pollard and Co would be aware that mistakes against Jamaica Tallawahs in the semi-final can show them the door of elimination before the final. The Knights are the three-time champions and know the art of delivering under extreme pressure.

The Tallawahs, on the other hand, qualified for the semis, but that they won only three out of their 10 games in the first round doesn’t sound promising. In fact, they haven’t won a game since their 37-run victory against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots way back on August 29. However, with the firepower they possess, one can’t afford to rule the Tallawahs out by any stretch of the imagination.

Pitch and conditions

The pitch at the Brian Lara Stadium has been fairly decent for the batters. But the spinners have also dictated terms when in full flow. In a must-win game, teams should bat first and then put the pressure on the opposition. There are chances of rain from 10 AM to 12 PM and hence, there could be a lot of interruptions. The temperature will be around the 29 degrees Celsius mark.

Playing combinations

Trinbago Knight Riders

The Knights chopped and changed a lot after qualifying for the semis. But for the upcoming games, they are expected to bring back their big guns. Sunil Narine and Lendl Simmons should be back opening the batting. Colin Munro and Darren Bravo lend the much-needed solidity to the batting.

Kieron Pollard has been in riveting form, scoring at a strike-rate above 200. Both Pravin Tambe and Sikandar Raza have done well, but one of them might have to sit out. Leggie Fawad Ahmed has 10 wickets and he will have Narine and Khary Pierre for company in the spin bowling department.

Probable XI

Lendl Simmons, Sunil Narine, Colin Munro, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard (C), Tim Seifert (wk), Ali Khan, Akeal Hosein Fawad Ahmed, Pravin Tambe/Sikandar Raza, Khary Pierre

Jamaica Tallawahs

Glenn Phillips has been the backbone of their batting with 314 runs at an average of 39.25. Andre Russell had a dry run to start with, but he has found momentum in his batting, scoring 220 runs at a decent strike-rate of 144.73. Jermaine Blackwood has done his job pretty efficiently as well.

The Tallawahs have depended a lot on their bowling. Sandeep Lamichhane and Mujeeb Ur Rahman have a combined tally of 27 wickets thus far. Carlos Brathwaite has 10 wickets to his name. Even Fidel Edwards have been bowling at sheer pace and has nine wickets to show for his efforts.

Probable XI

Jermaine Blackwood, Glenn Phillips (wk), Chadwick Walton, Rovman Powell (C), Andre Russell, Asif Ali, Nicholas Kirton, Carlos Brathwaite, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sandeep Lamichhane, Fidel Edwards