APL 2018, Match 8, Kabul Zwanan vs Kandahar Knights, Match Prediction: Fantasy Cricket Tips

The inaugural edition of the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) is shaping up superbly as more matches are being played. Kabul Zwanan will face the struggling Kandahar Knights in the eighth match of the season with the latter side is yet to register a victory after playing a couple of matches. Few days of rest must’ve given them some time to ponder over their combinations and it will be interesting to see if their approach changes for the remaining six games.

The Knights’ skipper Asghar Afghan will be hoping to turn their season around. But he will need the support from his team and the overseas players should live up to the reputation. The likes of Brendon McCullum and Paul Stirling have to bat deep and make sure that they set a platform for the middle-order to come. Their bowling is good enough and have the ability to trouble the opposition.

Kabul, on the other hand, are looking a settled side now after their win over the Nangarhar Leopards. But they can’t relax and should aim to keep the winning momentum going. Rashid Khan has been leading from the front in all the departments and no wonder he is their main player. Though he would love to see the other players stepping up to the occasion just like Hazratullah Zazai did the other day.

Team Combinations

Kabul Zwanan

Kabul Zwanan are coming off a scintillating victory over the Leopards and it goes without saying that they won’t be changing the winning team. The same playing XI is likely to be retained and Hazratullah will look to provide the team with a similar kind of start once again. Laurie Evans is also in good touch with the bat even as the skipper Rashid’s all-round skills have always come to the fore of the team.

Predicted XI: Luke Ronchi (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Colin Ingram, Laurie Evans, Javed Ahmadi, Shahidullah Kamal, Rashid Khan (c), Wayne Parnell, Fareed Ahmad, Nijat Masood, Zahir Shehzad

Kandahar Knights

The Knights, on the other hand, will be looking to tweak their line-up compared to their last game. The opening duo of McCullum and Stirling are expected to take the onus upfront and provide the team with a good start. The Afghan middle-order then will look to capitalise in the middle overs while the likes of Kevin O Brien and Najibullah Zadran will be crucial at the death. In the bowling department, Tymal Mills might be benched for Taskin Ahmed and the rest of the attack should be same.

Predicted XI: Brendon McCullum, Paul Stirling, Karim Sadiq (wk), Asghar Afghan (c), Karim Janat, Kevin O Brien, Najibullah Zadran, Tymal Mills/Taskin Ahmed, Amir Hamza, Sayed Shirzad, Waqar Salamkheil

Probable Top Performers

Colin Ingram – Kabul Zwanan | Brendon McCullum – Kandahar Knights

Broadcast Details

TV – DSport

The prediction is for the Kandahar Knights to register their first victory of the season.

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