Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars, Pakistan Super League 2020, Today Match Prediction 12 Mar 2020

krk vs lhq Match Prediction & Analysis

Host Karachi Kings will be looking to make a strong comeback when they take on Lahore Qalandars in the 26th game of 2020 Pakistan Super League at National Stadium in Karachi on Thursday.

Karachi Kings will need to sort out their bowling woes and look to regain momentum in this home fixture. Imad Wasim-led unit slipped to the fifth spot after suffering comprehensive defeat against Lahore Qalandars. Overall, Kings have registered three wins and three losses from seven matches.

On the other hand, Lahore Qalandars edge past Peshawar Zalmi in a high-scoring game. With this result, the side continued their dominance at home venue and have now won three games on the bounce. Qalandars have a great opportunity for the first time to secure their position in the playoffs of the tournament.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Karachi Kings Preview

The franchise had a poor game with the ball against Lahore Qalandars. Besides Muhammad Amir, no one has able to create pressure on the likes of Ben Dunk and Sohail Akhtar. With three games remaining, Kings will be looking to get their campaign back on track in this home fixture.

In the previous game, the batting department put in an excellent performance to post 187 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite losing Sharjeel Khan in the initial overs, Babar Azam and Alex Hales stitched a partnership of 70 runs to rebuild the innings for Karachi. Babar Azam was looking in ominous form with the bat and perished after scoring 38 runs off 29 balls with the help of six boundaries. For Karachi, Alex Hales delivered a majestic inning of 80 not out off 48 balls with the help of six fours and five fours. He added crucial partnerships with Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton to help Karachi post a competitive total on the board.

Wicket-keeper Chadwick Walton came good with the bat in this game and scored quick-fire 45 runs off 20 balls with the help of two fours and five sixes. It would be interesting to see whether Aamir Yamin plays this game after leaving the field against Lahore Qalandars. Umaid Asif could come into the playing XI in case Yamin is not fully fit to play this game.

The bowling attack looked decent in patches in the previous game. They failed to defend 188 runs against Lahore Qalandars the other day with Ben Dunk’s sizzling innings of 40-ball 99 blowing them away. Captain Imad Wasim, Umer Khan, and Cameron Delport bled too many runs to see Karachi lose the plot against Lahore. They will need to bowl tighter lines in order for Kings to come out on top at their home venue. In a high-scoring game, pacer Mohammad Amir was the pick of the bowlers and finished with 1 for 33 in his four overs.

Karachi Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Imad Wasim (captain), Chadwick Walton (wk), Chris Jordan, Alex Hales, Mohammad Amir, Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khan, Cameron Delport, Aamer Yamin/Umaid Asif, Iftikhar Ahmed, Umer Khan

Karachi Kings Actual Playing XI:

Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Usama Mir, Arshad Iqbal, Chadwick Walton, Babar Azam, SI Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Sharjeel Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Umaid Asif

Lahore Qalandars Preview

In the previous fixture, Lahore Qalandars managed to overcome Peshawar Zalmi in a close finish. With this result, Qalandars has climbed to the third position in the league table.

On flat conditions, Lahore Qalandars won the toss and opted to bowl first. Samit Patel and Shaheen Shah Afridi put in a splendid new-ball performance to reduce Peshawar Zalmi to 24 for 3 after 3.2 overs. chasing 187 runs for victory, openers Fakhar Zaman and Sohail Akhtar put on a 50-run partnership to get off to a decent start. Skipper Sohail Akthar perished in the 6th over to see Lahore Qalandars lose their first wicket.

The big positive from the previous game was Chris Lynn finding form with the bat. The 29-year old Queenslander came to the crease and put on a 96-run partnership with Fakhar Zaman to put Lahore Qalandars in a commanding position to win the game.

Pugnacious opener Fakhar Zaman put in a splendid performance and finished the innings with the top-score of 63 runs off 46 balls with the help of four boundaries and three sixes. He was provided adequate support from Chris Lynn, who smashed 59 runs off 32 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes. Despite a late stutter in their innings, Samit Patel and David Wiese put on an unbeaten 29-run partnership to steer his side a hard-fought win.

Lahore Qalandars Predicted Playing XI:

Fakhar Zaman, Chris Lynn, Mohammad Hafeez, Ben Dunk (wk), Sohail Akhtar (c), Samit Patel, David Wiese, Shaheen Afridi, Dilbar Hussain, Haris Rauf, Maaz Khan

Lahore Qalandars Actual Playing XI:

Mohammad Hafeez, Sohail Akhtar, D Wiese, Muhammad Faizan, F Zaman, Dilbar Hussain, Chris Lynn, Haris Rauf, SR Patel, Shaheen Afridi, Ben Dunk

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The wicket at National Stadium in Karachi is not going to anything for the quick bowlers. Batsmen are expected to dominate the show in this contest. The weather conditions are set to perfect for this game.

Venue Details

In the last four completed matches between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings, Lahore has certainly dominated the proceedings and managed to come out on top on three occasions.

In the previous meeting between the two teams, Lahore Qalandars comfortably brushed aside Karachi Kings by eight wickets at Gaddafi Stadium.

Toss: To Bowl

Based on four PSL games played at Karachi, the side that wins the toss would be looking to bowl first. Under lights, the ball comes nicely onto the bat making it easier for batsmen to score runs against quick bowlers.