Vancouver Knights vs Edmonton Royals, Global Canada T20 League, Match 11: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

August 2 will feature an important clash between Vancouver Knights and Edmonton Royals. The defending champions have to beat the Royals to keep their play-off hopes alive whereas the latter need to win this match at least for further progress.

Vancouver have managed to win only one match so far. The last match saw them posting a mammoth 276/3 from their 20 overs against Montreal Tigers. Unfortunately, the match ended with no result due to rain. Even the Knights had posted a 200 plus score in their second fixture against Winnipeg Hawks as well, albeit for a losing cause. The batsmen look in great form with Chris Gayle and Rassie van der Dussen taking the lead. The bowling unit needs more grip to defend the score.

Edmonton Royals have played three matches so far and lost all. They had failed to defend in the first match, chase down in the next. But the last fixture against Montreal saw the Royals defending 153 with utmost determination till the end. Well, almost! The Tigers outperformed in the final over and won the match. If the Royals want to keep their slim chance of play-off alive, they have to carry on with the momentum from the last match. With the consistency of Faf du Plessis and Shadab Khan, the Royals need Ben Cutting and Jimmy back on track.

Head to head: The Knights had one face-off with the Royals in the inaugural edition and the match was rained out.

Key players:

Chris Gayle (Vancouver Knights)– The veteran West Indian showed last time what he is still capable of.  His unbeaten 122 off 54 balls with 12 maximums and seven fours reminded all about his power and importance in the squad. The in-form ‘Universe Boss’ can be the biggest game changer for the Knights in the absence of Andre Russell.

Faf du Plessis (Edmonton Royals)– One of the mainstays in the batting line-up for the Royals, Faf came with form but needed to build on good starts. The last match saw him pulling it off in style and posting a 20-ball 55. He is that perfect anchor in the middle order who can accelerate the scoreboard as well.

Likely XIs:

Vancouver Knights– Tobias Visee (wk), Chris Gayle (c), Chadwick Walton, Rassie van der Dussen, Shoaib Malik, Rizwan Cheema, Andile Phehlukwayo, JJ Smit, Michael Rippon, Saad bin Zafar, Ali Khan

Edmonton Royals– Navneet Dhaliwal, Richie Berrington, Faf du Plessis (c), Mohammad Hafeez, Jimmy Neesham, Ben Cutting, Shadab Khan, Anshuman Rath (wk), Safyaan Sharif, Satsimranjit Dhindsa, Kyle Phillip

Prediction: Vancouver Knights to win this fixture.