Abu Dhabi T10 2019 Qualifier 1, Maratha Arabians vs Qalandars: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Table toppers Maratha Arabians, the only team to have won 4 matches out of 6, will face second-placed Qalandars in Qualifier 1 of Abu Dhabi T10 2019. Having lost their first match, by 9 wickets against Northern Warriors, the Arabians have won all their decided matches (the Karnataka Tuskers match was abandoned midway).

The Arabians had also beaten the Qalandars when the teams met earlier in the tournament largely due to Mitchell McClenaghan’s all-round performance (20* in 7 balls, 2-0-9-2). Having crossed 125 thrice in the tournament, they seem to have one of the most potent batting units.

Apart from the Arabians match, the Qalandars have also lost to Deccan Gladiators, while their match against Team Abu Dhabi had ended in a tie. They are a superb bowling unit: not only did they demolish the Warriors by bowling them out for 46, they have also restricted every side to under 110.

It will be a close contest, but Maratha Arabians are probably the better rounded side.

Key players

Chris Lynn (Maratha Arabians): Not only has Lynn got 288 runs (80 more than anyone else) in the tournament, he has got then at 246; his 91* is the highest score in T10 history; and he will be the Arabians’ most important man in Qualifier 1.

Seekkuge Prasanna (Qalandars): A much sought-after T20 cricketer, Prasanna has not got many batting opportunities here. His bowling, on the other hand, on another level (6-0-33-4). Much will be expected of him here.

Likely XIs

Maratha Arabians: Adam Lyth, Chris Lynn, Chadwick Walton (wk), Yuvraj Singh, Najibullah Zadran, Dasun Shanaka, Dwayne Bravo (c), Kasun Rajitha, Mitchell McClenaghan, Lasith Malinga, Shiraz Ahmed.

Qalandars: Phil Salt, Dawid Malan (c), Laurie Evans, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Peter Trego, Seekkuge Prasanna, Jordan Clark, Sultan Ahmed, George Carton, Lahiru Kumara, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Prediction

Maratha Arabians to win and reach the final.