Pakistan T20 League 2020’s playoffs kick start with a qualifier clash between Multan and Karachi.
Both sides finished on the top two in the table. The winner will reach the final, and the losing side will play the first-eliminator winner.
Match Timings: Nov 14, 3:30 PM
Team Preview
The double-header of the Pakistan T20 League 2020 playoffs start on Saturday, and the opening clash is between Multan and Karachi. Multan had a terrific season, losing just two matches in the league stage. In the final league stage game, they suffered a 9-wicket loss to Lahore before COVID-19 hit the world. After almost 8 months of break, the tournament is back with its final round.
Few overseas players will miss this leg of the tournament. Multan included Mahmudallah in place of Moeen Ali, but the Bangladeshi batsman has tested positive for COVID-19. Joe Denly will replace James Vince as one of Multan’s overseas players for the playoffs. Denly will now open with Zeeshan Ashraf in the absence of Ali. Adam Lyth is also a fin inclusion in the side as the Yorkshire batsman has been consistent in T20 Blast.
Meanwhile, Karachi finished on the second spot, one point ahead of Lahore due to one washed out affair. Imad Wasim’s unit is also coming off a 5-wickets loss in the last league stage game against Quetta. They have a big advantage in the qualifier as their majority of the players are available, and they have been a part of the competitive cricket during the pandemic.
Babar Azam is in terrific form, and he has delivered in the last Zimbabwe series and National T20 Cup. Sharjeel Khan, at the top, along with Delport, will give a big boost to Karachi’s batting unit. Iftikhar Ahmed recently got a fifer in the Zimbabwe series. Karachi roped in Sherfane Rutherford for Chris Jordan, and Waqas Maqsood will replace USA star Ali Khan for playoffs.
Both sides met once in the league stage, and Multan defeated Karachi by 52 runs, riding on Moeen Ali and Masood’s half-centuries, following Tahir’s 3-wickets spell. The current scenario puts Karachi on the top with a most balanced unit.
Pitch Report
National Stadium Karachi is a decent T20 ground that offers the same amount of help to batsmen and bowlers. It’s will be the first T20 game on this track after a long time, so batting would be slightly more challenging. Spinners could take advantage of the sluggish behavior of the pitch. Chasing would be an ideal call.
Possible XI
Multan
Joe Denly, Zeeshan Ashraf (wk), Shan Masood (c), Adam Lyth, Ravi Bopara, Khushdil Shah, Usman Qadir, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Ilyas, Imran Tahir, Mohammad Irfan/Bilawal Bhatti
Karachi
Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khan, Cameron Delport, Awais Zia, Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim (c), Umaid Asif, Mohammad Amir, Umer Khan/Waqas Maqsood, Sherfane Rutherford
Key Players
Multan
Khushdil Shah
National T20 Cup 2020 – Innings: 12, Runs: 362, Avg: 32.90
Mohammad Ilyas
National T20 Cup 2020 – M: 9, Wickets: 11, Avg: 26.45
Karachi
Babar Azam
This season – Innings: 9, Runs: 345, Avg: 49.29
Mohammed Rizwan
National T20 Cup 2020 – Innings: 12, Runs: 389, Avg: 38.90
