APL 2018: Match 5, Balkh Legends vs Kandahar Knights, Preview: Off-beat Kandahar aim to gain some momentum

In a bid to regain the lost confidence, the Kandahar Knights will be locking horns with the Balkh Legends. Both sides have some wonderful names on paper and it will be an entertaining game at Sharjah to finish off the weekend.

Chris Gayle didn’t play in the first game and is unlikely to play this game as well as the veteran will be travelling on the match day from the Caribbean islands. He had prioritized the APL over the India-Windies ODI series and he should be in action as soon he reaches the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Kandahar got it all wrong against the Nangarhar unit on Saturday and will have to work on a lot of things. They gained some momentum in the second innings defending a moderate total, but let it slip away with some sloppy fielding. The tournament has just begun and although there’s a lot of time to recuperate, it’d be better for them to make amends as soon as possible.

Playing Combinations

Balkh Legends

Colin Munro and Usman Ghani might be opening the innings for the Legends. They have some pretty experienced names in the middle-order like skipper Mohammad Nabi, Ryan Ten Doeschate and Ravi Bopara. Gulbadin Naib and Darwish Rasooli will be expected to do well both with bat and ball. Ben Laughlin will be key with the ball alongside Aftab Alam and Mirwais Ashraf.

Predicted XI:  Colin Munro, Usman Ghani, Ravi Bopara, Ryan ten Doeschate, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi(c), Ikram Ali Khil(w), Gulbadin Naib, Mirwais Ashraf, Ben Laughlin, Aftab Alam

Kandahar Knights

Paul Stirling and Brendon McCullum’s explosive nature at the top is something the Knights will be banking on heavily. They have decent experience in the middle order as with the presence of skipper Asghar Afghan and Najibullah Zadran. Tymal Mills will lead the bowling attack and will be accompanied by UAE’s medium pacer Sayed Shirzad and local left-arm spinner Amir Hamza.

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

Focus will be on

Ryan ten Doeschate (Balkh Legends)

One of the finest cricketers from the associate nations, Ryan ten Doeschate provides a plethora of experience both with his all-round skills. The Dutchman will be expected to contribute profusely across all three dimensions, just the way he has been performing for the various T20 clubs across the globe. He is a dangerous batsman at the death and can also manoeuvre the ball to rebuild the innings.

Paul Stirling (Kandahar Knights)

One of the key figures in Ireland cricket’s rise over the years, Paul Stirling is one of the most destructive openers in world cricket. Highly under-rated, but he certainly is one of the most effective cricketers around the T20 circuit. He will be an important figure in this side as the tournament progresses. If he manages to start well for his side, Kandahar might register their first win of the season.

Broadcast details

TV – D Sport

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