Match Details:
The 22nd match of the National T20 Cup will be played between Balochistan and Central Punjab at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.
The match is scheduled to start at 7: 30 PM local time (8:00 PM IST) and will be streamed on the Pakistan Cricket Youtube channel.
Preview:
As we are entering the business end of the 2020 edition of National T20 Cup, every match is becoming more of a knockout encounter. For Central Punjab, this statement is very true. With just 2 wins from 6 games, they are 5th in the table.
Though they are currently out of the semi-final places, a win on Monday can put them back in the top four. The stakes for Balochistan, however, will not be as high as their opponents. With 4 wins in 7 games, they are sitting comfortably at second place. However, they will still be desperate to cement their place in the top two and confirm their ticket to the semi-final as soon as they can.
BAL vs CEN Weather Report for Match 22:
We can expect full 40 overs as there are no chances of precipitation. The temperature is expected to be around 21-23 °C.
Pitch Condition/Report:
Much like Multan, the Rawalpindi track was batting-heavy for the first few games but has since changed its character. Both batsmen and bowlers will get equal assistance from the track.
Average first innings score:
171 (Last 5 matches played on this ground)
Record of chasing teams:
Won – 4, Lost – 1, Tied – 0
Injury and Availability News:
Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring niggle and he has been replaced by Waqas Maqsood.
BAL vs CEN Today’s Probable Playing XIs:
Balochistan
Awais Zia, Abdul Bangalzai, Imam-ul-Haq, Bismillah Khan (wk), Haris Sohail (c), Akbar-ur-Rehman, Yasir Shah, Khurram Shehzad, Amad Butt, Umar Gul, Akif Javed
Bench:
Kashif Bhatti, Umaid Asif, Imran Farhat, Taimur Khan, Usama Mir, Imran Butt
Central Punjab (Pakistan)
Kamran Akmal (wk), Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Rizwan Hussain, Saad Nasim, Qasim Akram, Zafar Gohar, Waqas Maqsood, Usman Qadir, Ehsan Adil
Bench:
Ahmed Bashir, Bilal Asif, Irfan Khan, Ali Shan, Sohaibullah, Abid Ali, Akhlaq Ahmed
BAL vs CEN Top Picks for Today’s 11Wickets Match:
Imam-ul-Haq has been very consistent at the top-order for Balochistan. He has scored 287 runs at a staggering average of over 70 with a strike rate of 147.17. He has scored 3 half-centuries so far in this tournament.
Awais Zia has scored 218 runs in 7 matches so far. He has an average of 36.33 and an impressive strike rate of over 160.
Babar Azam missed the first few games as he was on his T20 Blast duties, but in just 2 appearances so far, the batsman has scored 172 runs. He has a brilliant strike rate of over 160 and also has registered a century.
Abdullah Shafique was the backbone of Central Punjab’s batting unit in Babar Azam’s absence. He has scored 255 runs, which includes a century. Shafique has an average of over 40 and a strike rate of almost 130.
Veteran Kamran Akmal has scored 180 runs in 7 innings. He has a decent average of over 25 and an even better strike rate of almost 140.
Ehsan Adil has been the go-to bowler for Central Punjab. He has up 11 wickets in 6 matches and also has a fairly decent economy rate of under 9 runs per over.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Captain Options – Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq
Vice-Captain Options – Abdullah Shafique, Awais Zia
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for BAL vs CEN 11Wickets Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Kamran Akmal
Batters – Haris Sohail, Awais Zia (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (c)
All-Rounders – Amad Butt, Faheem Ashraf
Bowlers – Akif Javed, Yasir Shah, Usman Qadir, Ehsan Adil
12th Man – Bismillah Khan
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for BAL vs CEN 11Wickets Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Bismillah Khan
Batters – Imam-ul-Haq (c), Haris Sohail, Awais Zia, Abdullah Shafique (vc), Babar Azam
All-Rounders – Amad Butt, Qasim Akram
Bowlers – Yasir Shah, Akif Javed, Usman Qadir
12th Man – Akbar-ur-Rehman
Expert Advice:
Amad Butt can return good points with both the bat and the ball. The Balochistan all-rounder has picked up 8 wickets and has also scored 50 runs at a strike rate of almost 150. He should be included in your 11Wickets Fantasy team.
Today’s BAL vs CEN Probable Winners:
Central Punjab are expected to win this match.
