Toronto Nationals vs Vancouver Knights, Global Canada T20 League, Match 1: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

The second edition of the Global Canada T20 League gets underway on Friday, 26 July, with a clash between some of the biggest names in T20 cricket when Toronto Nationals and Vancouver Nationals go head-to-head.

The first edition last year was tentative to start off with. The idea of a cricketing outpost in Canada hosting a T20 league seemed outlandish, but as it progressed, it proved a fine event. The likes of Steve Smith and David Warner – in exile at the time – brought considerable star power and focus to the event.

The cricket held its own too, as Vancouver won the maiden title, with Saad Bin Zafar, the Canada allrounder, playing the decisive role in front of much-heralded names.

This time, the big attraction will be Yuvraj Singh, who was snapped up by Toronto not long after he announced his retirement from mainstream cricket.

The excitement generated by this opening clash between Toronto and Vancouver will be important to set the tone for the event. Gayle v Yuvraj isn’t a bad way to start.

Head to head

In the two times these two sides clashed last year, each team won one bout. However, the last tournament was opened by the same two teams, and on that occasion, it was Toronto who triumphed.

Key players

Yuvraj Singh (Toronto): All eyes will be on the Indian supremo as he takes part, for the first time, in a franchise-based T20 tournament that is not the IPL. There is also the danger of the star shadowing the team. How Yuvraj handles that tricky dynamic will be interesting. The best way, as always, is to let the cricket do the talking.

Chris Gayle (Vancouver): Fresh from a lukewarm World Cup, Gayle will be itching to middle the ball again. There is not long left for Gayle in the sport – he is expected to call it quits after the West Indies v India ODIs – and he will be hoping to make the most of every opportunity here on.

Likely XIs

Vancouver Knights: Chris Gayle (c), Chadwick Walton (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Saad Bin Zafar, Rizwan Cheema, JJ Smit, Michael Rippon, Ali Khan, Tim Southee

Toronto Nationals: Brendon McCullum, Chirag Suri, Yuvraj Singh (c), Heinrich Klaasen, Ghulam Shabber (wk), Kieron Pollard, Mark Montfort, Chris Green, Jeremy Gordon, Jasdeep Singh, Mitchell McClenaghan

Prediction

The defending champions, Vancouver, to set the ball rolling with a win.