Along with the former Pakistan cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq, we help you pick your fantasy team for the upcoming semi-final between Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2020 (8:40)
March 17: PSL semi-final – Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars, Lahore
Our XI: Ben Dunk, Sohail Akhtar, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Cameron Delport, Mohammad Hafeez, Samit Patel, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Chris Jordan
Captain: Fakhar Zaman
Zaman has 246 runs at a strike rate of 132.97 in the tournament so far, with two fifties in his last three innings, both having come at the Gaddafi Stadium. His big-match temperament is well known and living up to the reputation, he has 153 runs at an average of 51 and a strike rate of 170 in the semi-final or final stage of T20 tournaments.
Vice Captain: Babar Azam
Babar is the highest run-scorer in the tournament with 345 runs at an average of 49.28 and a strike rate of 123.65. He has scored 107 runs in two innings against the Qalandars this season and 265 runs overall in eight innings against them. Only Kamran Akmal has scored more runs against the Qalandars.
Hot Picks
Ben Dunk
With 266 runs in the tournament at an average of 53.2 and a strike rate of 186.01, Dunk has made it difficult to have him left out of any side in this edition of the PSL. He has the best strike rate among those who have faced 100 or more balls in the tournament.
Samit Patel
Patel has been a star with both bat and ball for the Qalandars this season. He has scored 137 runs at a strike rate of 155.68 in six innings and picked up nine wickets at an economy of eight, including the best bowling figures in the tournament so far: 4 for 5. He also has the best dot ball % (40.57) among spinners who have bowled 100 or more balls in the tournament.
Shaheen Afridi
Afridi’s effort with the new ball will be a key factor in deciding the fate of the game. He is the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament so far with 13 wickets. He has picked up 14 wickets in the powerplay in his PSL career at a strike rate of 16.3, the best among all pacers who have picked up 10 or more wickets.
Value Picks
Cameron Delport
Delport heads into this game fresh off a 62-run knock in his last match. He has scored 178 runs at a strike rate of 121.08 this season. Against the Qalandars, though, Delport has played three innings, scoring 156 runs at a strike rate of 165.95 including a hundred. He is a must-have against this opposition, who bring out the best in him in the PSL.
Sohail Akhtar
The Qalandars captain has had a terrific turnaround in form in the last few games. He has scored 176 runs in his last four innings, averaging 88 and striking at 128.46. The turnaround started against the Kings in Lahore where he made an unbeaten 68 and won the match for his side. His current form makes him a top pick
Point to note
Teams batting first have scored big in the last three games at the Gaddafi Stadium but have also gone on to lose the match. So, ideally pick your captain from the team batting second.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo