PSL 2020, Semi-Final-2, Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings, Preview – Both sides set eyes on the trophy in their first-ever semi-final of the tournament

Lahore Qalandars have never made into the finals of PSL in its five season.

Published - 16 Mar 2020, 16:56 IST | Updated - 16 Mar 2020, 16:56 IST

2 Min Read

Lahore Qalandars will come face to face against Karachi Kings in 2nd semi-final of PSL 2020. Its is going to be an enthralling battle between the two teams that had a very dissimilar journey throughout the tournament. On one side, Qalandars gave their all to make into the semi-final. In the last league game, they managed a crucial victory against the league toppers Multan Sultans by a margin of nine wickets.

At one point, they were almost on the verge of getting knocked out from the tournament. But, they marked a strong arrival in the league on the back of some impressive show produced by their players. They ended up on the third position with 10 points in 10 games. On the other hand, Karachi Kings were 2nd in the group stage with 11 points in 10 games. The upcoming game is going to be a big one for Qalandars as well as for Kings as these two teams will play their first-ever semi-final in the history of PSL.

Qalandars and Kings have locked horns twice in this season in which both the teams managed a win against each other. It is going to be a big jackpot for the side that will win the upcoming game that will lead them to the finals of the tournament.

Team Combination

Lahore Qalandars

Lahore Qalandars have been dealt with a blow as their star batsman Chris Lynn has returned back to his country just after making his team qualify for the semi-final. His blistering knock against Multan Sultans in the last league game took Qalandars one step closer to PSL trophy.

Hence, the franchise has recruited Abid Ali as a replacement for Lynn. In middle-order, they have the services of Sohail Akhtar, Ben Dunk and Mohammad Hafeez, who can single-handedly win games for their side. Even, David Wiese and Samit Patel also hold the ability to play cameo for their team in the lower order.

Meanwhile, in bowling, they have nothing much to tinker with the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Dilbar Hussain. The formidable trio is enough to restrict any strong batting line-up on their day. Moreover, they have proved their worth in the past games. They have made one more recruitment on the name of Salman Ali Agha. But, the chances are slim that he might get to play in the semi-finals.

Probable XI: Fakhar Zaman, Abid Ali, Sohail Akhtar, Ben Dunk, Mohammad Hafeez, Samit Patel, Salman Irshad, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Raja Farzan, Dilbar Hussain

Karachi Kings

For Karachi Kings, Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam will open the innings. The duo has done an impressive job with the bat for their team in PSL 2020. The former has scored 199 runs whereas the latter has mustered 345 runs. Iftikhar Ahmed, Cameron Delport, and Chadwick Walton will look to score runs in the middle-order.

Coming onto the bowling they have the services of Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Umaid Asif and Umer Khan that will look to restrict the opponent on a lowly total. They have done an impressive job until now in the tournament. And, they will look to continue with the same in the semi-finals.

Probable XI: Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed. Cameron Delport, Chadwick Walton, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Imad Wasim (c), Arshad Iqbal, Umer Khan, Mohammad Amir, Umaid Asif

The focus will be on

Babar Azam (Karachi Kings)

Babar Azam has displayed his consistency with the bat in this edition of PSL as well. He is currently the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 345 runs. He has scored three-half centuries. The right-hander is expected to come out with yet another important knock for Kings in order to lead them into the finals of PSL 2020. If he manages to pull off a breakthrough knock then the chances of Karachi Kings qualifying into the further stage will be quite high.

Ben Dunk (Lahore Qalandars)

Ben Dunk is in smashing form with the bat. He has won many games for Qalandars in this edition. His sublime hitting is one of the main reason due to which Qalandars have managed a strong comeback into the tournament. In PSL 2020, he has mustered 266 runs in eight games with the help of two-half centuries at a strike rate of 186.01. If he gets off the mark with a bang then Qalandars will probably make into the finals of the tournament.