Karnataka Tuskers vs Qalandars, T10 League 2019, Today Match Prediction 21 Nov 2019

ktu vs qls Match Prediction & Analysis

We're at the business end of the tournament and it's that time of the season when there are potential knockout games. The Karnataka Tuskers will face the Qalandars in one such contest that neither side can afford to lose.

Hashim Amla's men began with a win but have lost their way ever since with a three-match winless streak. While some of the new additions have bolstered their batting unit, the bowling hasn't quite been effective after the tournament opener.

Qalandars too had a good start before slipping to a two-match losing streak. They have been massively affected by the non-availability of Pakistan players and the revamped squad hasn't been efficient enough. In fact, both sides don't look too threatening in terms of resources and balance, and it isn't a surprise that they're gasping for survival.

Tuskers have a better batting line-up and that should give them a boost in this fixture but the added pressure of a knockout game will mean that only the toughest will survive. Tuskers do have people who can get the job day on their day but their top order will have fire consistently to give the side a chance. Qalandars' revamped squad is English-heavy with a lot of starts from domestic T20 of England but they haven't adapted well to the conditions as yet. Time is ticking and they need to find a solution. Both teams have batting issues with the bowling seeming better placed.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Karnataka Tuskers Preview

With Evin Lewis and Johnson Charles at the top, the team has an explosive opening pair that's supported by the solidity of skipper Amla with the likes of Shafiqullah Shafiq and Ross Whitely being useful options.

However, it's the top order that's reliable and the middle order does come as a soft underbelly for the side. The bowling department has more potential than the batting, despite not living up to their skill levels and if that can click, it could ease the pressure on the Tuskers' top-heavy batting.

Key Players: Evin Lewis, Patrick Brown

Karnataka Tuskers Predicted Playing XI:

E Lewis, J Charles, H Amla(c), S Shafiq(wk), R Whiteley, R ten Doeschate, A Raza, K Williams, N Rimmington, S Lamichhane, S Zadran

Karnataka Tuskers Actual Playing XI:

Evin Lewis, Kesrick Williams, Ahmed Raza, Sandeep Lamichhane, Shapoor Zadran, Shafiqullah, Ross Whiteley, RN ten Doeschate, Hashim Amla, Nathan Rimmington, J Charles

Qalandars Preview

They have overdependent on Tom Banton who has had a decent tournament so far but the Qalandars need their big names to come to the party. Luke Ronchi and Dawid Malan have underperformed, and this is the right time for the senior due to step up.

The lower middle-order has a plethora of English domestic stars who are high on potential but will need to be guided by their senior teammates. The bowling does look better equipped than the batting line-up and if the Qalandars can get runs on the board, they could be in with a real shout.

Key Players: Dawid Malan, T Banton

Qalandars Predicted Playing XI:

T Banton, L Ronchi(wk), D Malan(c), P Salt, L Evans, J Clark, C Jordan, L Kumara, G Garton, S Ahmed, M ur Rahman

Qalandars Actual Playing XI:

Tom Kohler-Cadmore, S Prasanna, George Garton, Lahiru Kumara, Sultan Ahmed, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Tom Banton, Dawid Malan, Chris Jordan, Philip Salt, Laurie Evans

Weather Conditions

Rain is predicted through the week in UAE and it's started to affect results. The showers aren't expected to be a massive downpour but they don't need to be either, to affect such short-format games. With a fresh surface prepared daily, we can expect a good batting pitch with plenty of runs in it. Bowlers need to vary their pace to get some sort of control. Wrist spinners could perhaps have a better chance while the finger spinners need to be good defensively.

Venue Details

Sheikh Zayed Stadium is one of the finest stadiums in the world due to quality infrastructure and fine playing conditions. The dimensions of the ground has kept the bowlers in the game but still, it's mostly been a batsmen's tournament in the 2019 T10 League as expected.

Toss: To Bowl

It's come to a stage when the captains won't mind losing the toss. Chasing remains a preferred option but sides are also successfully defending scores, which means that there is a good balance. But this will be the second game of the day, which means the pitch will be on the slower side. So it is preferable to bat first as the track will slow down further during the second half.