National T20 Cup 2019, Final: Northern v Balochistan – Preview, prediction, likely XIs

Having finished first and second in the league phase of the 2019 National T20 Cup respectively, Northern and Balochistan went on to win two cliffhangers in the semi-finals. They will now meet in the final at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on October 24.

Northern has won 5 and lost 1 match in the tournament so far. Even their only defeat (against Central Punjab) came in a match where they put up 222/6. Asif Ali, who slammed 93 in 35 balls that day, is going to be a threat in the final.

Their bowling line-up – Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Nawaz – is the strongest of the tournament. However, they were tested by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the semi-final. At one point they needed to defend 16 in 13 balls, but they took 5 for 11 to reach the final.

Balochistan had started with a defeat against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but they came back strongly to win the next 3 matches to qualify for the semi-finals. They were then thrashed by Northern despite Hussain Talat’s 51-ball 77 not out.

The semi-final against Southern Punjab was a close affair. They needed 2 off the last ball when Amad Butt hit a six to seal things. Nevertheless, despite their jailbreak, they are unlikely to lose against Northern, who have dominated the tournament.

Key players

Shadab Khan (Northern): Shadab had figures of 4-0-26-4 when the sides had met in the league stage. With an 8-ball 16 and 4-0-28-0, he played a key role in the semi-final as well. He will be a threat in the final.

Amad Butt (Balochistan): Butt has taken 8 wickets in 6 matches while going for 8.20 an over, while his tournament strike rate reads 191. It was his cameo that decided the course of the semi-final, something he will be keen on repeating.

Likely XIs

Northern: Umar Amin, Imran Ali, Sohail Akhtar, Rohail Nazir (wk), Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim (c), Shadab Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Amir, Haris Rauf.

Balochistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Awais Zia, Bismillah Khan (wk), Imran Farhat, Haris Sohail (c), Hussain Talat, Amad Butt, Umar Gul, Yasir Shah, Ali Shafiq, Akif Javed.

Prediction

The Northern bowlers to guide them to a win.