APL 2018, Match 1, Kabul Zwanan vs Paktia Panthers, Match Prediction: Who will win the match, Kabul Zwanan or Paktia Panthers?

The Afghanistan Premier League (APL) is all set to get underway on Friday as a total of five teams will fight it out over the next 17 days for the ultimate glory. Kabul Zwanan and Paktia Panthers will get things going in Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium as some of the T20 superstars will lock horns in the first game of the tournament. Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s hero, has been appointed the skipper of Kabul franchise and will be pitted against Mohammad Shahzad.

As far as his team is concerned, Rashid has the likes of Laurie Evans, Luke Ronchi, Colin Ingram and Wayne Parnell in the overseas contingent and each one of them is capable of changing the game on its head. Also, the talented Ali Khan from the United States of America (USA) will be featuring in the tournament. The talent of Afghanistan will also be on show as a lot of cricketers will be getting the exposure for the first time.

The Panthers have the one and only and the evergreen Shahid Afridi up their sleeve who will play a crucial role for them throughout the competition. Also, the likes of Calum MacLeod, Cameron Delport, Sikandar Raza and Isuru Udana will look to make their presence felt. Apart from them, Shahzad will get the local support from Samiullah Shenwari and Ihsanullah Janat as they played together in the recently concluded Asia Cup.

Pitch and Conditions

It goes without saying that the conditions will be extremely hot in Sharjah. The fact that the match will be played in the evening should help the cricketers, especially the foreign players. As this is the start of the season, the pitch is expected to be good for batting. The spinners will also come into play as there is always turn on offer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Team Combination

Kabul Zwanan

Javed Ahmadi and Hazaratullah Zazai are the perfect openers for Kabul while the experienced Laurie Evans will look to guide the innings by batting at number four. Shahidullah Kamal and Shawkat Zaman are the two upcoming batsmen and they will accommodate the number three and five slots in the line-up with better batting credentials. Afsar Zazai will take up the wicketkeeping role and is also tipped to add some crucial runs in the death overs.

Rashid, including himself, will have proper five bowling options. While Wayne Parnell, Ali Khan and Fareed Ahmad comprise the pace attack, Zamir Khan is the left-arm spinner who can exploit the conditions. Also, Kamal can roll his arm over and the same is the case with Evans. Rashid is the best bowler in the side and a lot will depend on him. Colin Ingram is busy playing in the Abu Dhabi T20 and he will most likely join the team in the next couple of days.

Predicted XI: Javed Ahmadi, Hazratullah Zazai, Shawkat Zaman, Laurie Evans, Shahidullah Kamal, Afsar Zazai (wk), Rashid Khan (c), Wayne Parnell, Ali Khan, Fareed Ahmad, Zamir Khan

Paktia Panthers

Calum MacLeod and Shahzad will open the innings for Paktia while their middle-order looks strong with the presence of Cameron Delport, Shenwari and Sikandar Raza. Shahid Afridi, the veteran, will make his presence felt definitely for his team and will also give his valuable inputs to the skipper. The likes of Sharfuddin Ashraf, Yamin Ahmadzai and Zia-ur-Rehman

Predicted XI: Calum MacLeod, Mohammad Shahzad (c & wk), Cameron Delport, Samiullah Shenwari, Sikandar Raza, Shahid Afridi, Yousuf Zazai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia-ur-Rehman, Azmatullah

Probable top performers

Rashid Khan – Kabul Zwanan | Sikandar Raza – Paktia Panthers

The prediction is for Kabul Zwanan to start the tournament on a winning note.

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