Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars: Fantasy Preview

The 11th encounter in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 will see Karachi Kings take on Lahore Qalandars at Karachi’s National Stadium. Both teams have four points each in three games but Karachi currently occupy the second spot in the points table by the virtue of a superior net run-rate. Karachi thumped Multan Sultans by seven wickets in their last game (Match 9) while Lahore suffered a defeat to Multan by the same margin in their previous contest (Match 7). 

Karachi have defeated Lahore seven times in the PSL history with a win percentage of 63.6. Even in the recent encounters, they have maintained a superior record against Lahore.

PSL HEAD-TO-HEAD 

Overall: Matches – 11 | Karachi – 7 Wins | Lahore – 4 Wins

Last 5 Matches:  Karachi – 4 Wins | Lahore – 1 Wins

Ground details, conditions and team combination

The ten matches thus far at the National Stadium this PSL season have seen the side batting second win every time - be it a moderate target of 140 or a formidable run-chase in excess of 190. The bowlers have struck once every 30.5 runs at an interval of 20.6 deliveries per dismissal and an economy rate of 8.8.

At the start of the season, spinners had picked only 0.8 wickets per innings at this venue in T20s since 2020. The conditions have not improved for the spinners much. They have accounted for only 17 out of the 89 wickets in the season as yet. Hence, we suggest a batting heavy side and a bowling attack comprised of pace bowlers. 

Suggested Team

While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. Based on algorithms we come up with six different teams that could fetch crucial points. 

Captain Selection

Babar Azam averages 48.9 runs per dismissal in T20s since 2018. He received a bit of flak for his low strike-rate in the game against Peshawar but Babar made up for it with a match-winning 90 not out against Multan which came off only 60 balls. His strokeplay in that knock vouches for his red hot form that has seen him ascend to the pantheon of batsmanship over the last few years. He is a safe bet to be the captain of your fantasy XI. Karachi batting second further strengthens this claim as the right-hander averages 49.5 while batting second as compared to 39.7 in the first innings of the match. 

Our Criclytics player projector predicts Babar could score 18-41 runs in this match.

X-Factors

At 40, the Professor, Mohammad Hafeez is giving the best of the T20 batsmen around the world a run for their money in terms of numbers. He is one of the only six batsmen to average in excess of 50 in T20 cricket since 2020 (minimum 20 innings). Be it batting first or batting second, be it facing pace or spin, be it middle or the slog overs, Hafeez has been stupendous in all aspects of T20 batting. His scores this PSL read 33*, 73* and 60. The only time he was dismissed was also through a run-out, not by a bowler. He is, without a doubt, a must pick for your XI and should be your captain or vice-captain. 

Our Criclytics player projector predicts Hafeez could score 12-29 runs in this match.

This is Joe Clarke’s first year in PSL and he has already taken the tournament by storm. An uncapped England wicketkeeping batsman, Clarke has scored 100 runs in the two innings he has played this season. Both those knocks - 46 & 54 - have created a big impact for Karachi as they have come at a strike-rate of 200 and 207.7 respectively. Prior to that, Clarke enjoyed a successful year in 2020 which has escalated his stocks as a T20 batsman. He accrued 415 runs at an average of 31.9 at an excellent strike-rate of 175.8. Given Ben Dunk - Lahore’s wicketkeeper - has had a tough time adjusting to the new role in the middle-order, Clarke becomes another must pick player to form your XI. 

Our Criclytics player projector predicts Clarke could score 14-37 runs in this match.

With six wickets in three games, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been one of the top bowlers of PSL 2021 as yet. In Qalandars' opening game, he did exceedingly well, finishing with 3 for 14, for which he was awarded the player of the match as well. The National Stadium has been a batting paradise but Shaheen seems to be the only bowler who can still dominate batsmen with his swing and accurate yorkers/bouncers. 

Our Criclytics player projector predicts Afridi could pick 1-2 wickets in this match.