Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars, 2nd PSL SF: Fantasy Preview

Karachi Kings will take on Lahore Qalandars in the second semi-final of the Pakistan Super League at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday (March 17). With 11 points to their name, Karachi finished second in the points table, while Lahore made it to the semi-finals on the back of Chris Lynn's century.

The likes of Lynn, Alex Hales and Mitchell McClenaghan however have left home midway into the tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested team

Ground details and team combination

The Gaddafi Stadium has hosted 10 games in this year's PSL and batsmen here have scored at a run-rate of 8.7, second-best amongst all four stadiums used this season. They have scored 28.5 runs here for every wicket and have lost a wicket every 19.7 deliveries.

As is the case with most subcontinental grounds, the spinners have been more effective here than fast bowlers. They have operated at an economy of 7.6 and have a bowling average of 26.9, compared to 9.1 and 32.6 respectively for pacers.

Among the different bowler types, left-arm orthodox spinners with a strike-rate of 15.1 have been the most successful here. 

Captain selection

The top-ranked T20I batsman, Babar Azam (345) has scored more runs than any other batsman in PSL 2020. The Karachi Kings opener has scored runs at an average of 49.28 and a strike-rate of 123.65 and will look to build on that form in the knockouts. Since 2019, Azam (2018) has scored the most number of runs in T20s. The right-hander is a consistent performer and can be a safe pick if you are looking for a captain for your side.   

X-factors

Imad Wasim is someone who can chip in all three departments of the game. The Karachi Kings captain has so far scored runs at an average of 30.25 and has also taken five wickets. The 31-year-old has scored 758 runs since 2018 and has also taken 61 wickets, apart from taking 19 catches, and five run-outs.

Shaheen Shah Afridi is currently the second-leading wicket-taker in PSL 2018. The left-arm paceman has taken 13 wickets at an average of 18.92 and a strike-rate of 16.1. The 19-year-old however went wicketless against Karachi in both the group-stage encounters and will look to turn his fortunes around in the semi-final.

Ben Dunk has smashed 266 runs at an average of 53.20, second-best in this tournament (minimum 100 runs), including two fifties. The Australian left-hander smoked 99* against Lahore in the group-stage and will have to come up with a similar effort in the absence of Lynn. No other batsman has slammed more sixes than Dunk (23) in PSL 2020.