APL 2018, Match 17, Balkh Legends vs Nangarhar Leopards, Preview: Leopards take on the table-toppers in a must-win game

Going by form, this game might as well be a walk in the park for the Legends.

Published - 16 Oct 2018, 20:22 IST | Updated - 16 Oct 2018, 20:22 IST

3 Min Read

Balkh Legends have pretty much confirmed their top spot in the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) 2018 and in the final two games, they might be testing their bench strength. It has been a scintillating season for them and after the run-fest against Kabul Zwanan, they’ll be eager to stitch some more good performances going into the knockout games.

The Leopards have not done anything in this tournament which can be deemed good, but they did take a few chances with both hands and eventually pushed themselves to win two games. They’re in the middle of a tussle against the Kandahar Knights for the final semifinal berth, but one has to say that the Leopards are the favourites.

Going by form, this game might as well be a walk in the park for the Legends. But there will be more intent coming from Ben Cutting and his troops, who certainly are missing the services of their icon player Andre Russell. A defeat here for Nangarhar can come at a hefty price, which they certainly wouldn’t want to pay.

Playing combinations

Balkh Legends

Colin Munro might get some breathing time for the semifinals whilst Dilshan Munaweera opens the innings alongside Chris Gayle. Mohammad Nabi and Darwish Rasooli will have to do the bulk of the scoring if the new opening pair doesn’t do well. Malcolm Waller is also expected to get a game and will be joined by Ben Laughlin, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib and Abdullah Mazari in the bowling attack.

Probable XI: Chris Gayle, Dilshan Munaweera, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi (c), Malcolm Waller, Gulbadin Naib, Mirwais Ashraf, Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Ben Laughlin, Qais Ahmad, Abdullah Mazari

Nangarhar Leopards

The likes of Anton Devcich and Najeeb Tarakai will have to fire big time for the Leopards if they have to post a fighting total against this Legends side. Rahmat Shah and Johnson Charles will come in handy as well. Skipper Ben Cutting will be eager to continue his good momentum with the ball and would be hoping for a better rendition from the teenage spinning duo of Mujeeb and Zahir.

Probable XI: Anton Devcich, Najeeb Tarakai, Johnson Charles, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Shafiqullah Shafiq (wk), Ben Cutting (c), Naveen-ul-Haq, Sandeep Lamichhane/Nathan Rimmington, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Zahir Khan

Focus will be on

Gulbadin Naib (Balkh Legends)

After a pretty amazing show in the Asia Cup, Gulbadin Naib has been doing a good job for Mohammad Nabi in the APL. He has chipped in with some crucial spells thus far and can swing his bat to good effect in the death overs as well. A few more good performances from him might as well take the Legends to a coronation party.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Nangarhar Leopards)

Now or never for the young sensation Mujeeb Ur Rahman. He certainly has the ability to churn good spells in crunch situations, but his partnership with Zahir hasn’t been working well. When he does a good job, Zahir goes for runs and the vice-versa. Given the duo can stitch a good performance in tandem, the opposing sides can barely score any runs in their 8 overs, which can be good enough to put the Leopards in a winning position.