National T20 Cup 2019, Semi-final 1: Northern v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – Preview, Prediction

The Northern completed the league phase of the 2019 National T20 Cup with a 7-wicket victory over Balochistan, thereby winning 4 of their 5 league matches and finishing at the top of the table. They will now face fourth-placed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the first semi-final, at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.

Northern’s only defeat came in a cliffhanger, where they put up 222/6 thanks to Asif Ali’s 35-ball 93, only for Central Punjab to chase it down with a ball to spare. These remain the only scores in excess of 200 in this edition.

However, their real strength lies in bowling, a department, one that features Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Musa, Sohail Tanvir, and Mohammad Nawaz – easily the strongest of the tournament.

The attack had turned out to be more than a handful for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who had started with a win against Balochistan but lost their next 3, and qualified only after they beat Central Punjab with 2 balls in hand. However, while they boast of big hitters like Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, and Mohammad Rizwan, the bowling seems comparatively thin.

Northern, who had won the league encounter between the sides by 7 wickets, will take field as favourites.

Key players

Imad Wasim (Northern): Arguably the best T20 all-rounder in the world at international level, Imad has left his mark in the tournament, both as captain and player (economy 6.21, strike rate 161). Expect him to rise to the occasion.

Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa): Khushdil had scored a rapid fifty against Southern Punjab, but he really shot to fame after guiding his side to the semi-final with a 26-ball 46, outscoring Fakhar comfortably in their stand. He will be a threat down the order.

Likely XIs

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

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Mohsin, Usman Shinwari, Imran Khan, Zohaib Khan, Irfanullah Shah, Musadiq Ahmed.

Prediction

Northern to cruise to an easy win.