Vancouver Knights vs Winnipeg Hawks, Global T20 Canada 2019 Final: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

It’s the final bout of the Global T20 Canada 2019, with Vancouver Knights taking on Winnipeg Hawks on Sunday, August 11. It’ll be the third time this season the two sides are set to meet each other. Their previous clash was abandoned without a ball bowled, while earlier in the tournament, the Hawks secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory despite chasing a 209 to win.

The Hawks have had to take the long road to the final, having finished fourth in the league. They saw off Toronto Nationals in the Eliminator, securing a 2-run DLS method win, and two days later, chased down another big target, of 201, with seven wickets to spare against Brampton Wolves in Qualifier 2, with Shaiman Anwar and JP Duminy scoring half-centuries.

The victory over Brampton was on Saturday, meaning the Hawks will have to play the final without any day’s rest in between. The Knights, meanwhile, will have had a two-day rest in between Qualifier 1 and the final. Whether that extra recuperation time prove key in the remains to be seen.

The Knights were barely threatened in their win over Brampton in the first Qualifier. They posted 170/4 in 16 overs, and then bundled out the Wolves for 103 in 13.4 overs, with only Colin Munro’s 62 making for any resistance.

They will hope to repeat that dominance come Sunday and retain the title they won last year. But that’ll be easier said than done against the Hawks, who seem primed for a final tilt.

Head to head

In their one completed clash earlier this season, the Hawks beat the Knights by seven wickets. Their other clash, in Round 2, was abandoned without a ball bowled. In their two encounters last season, it was the Knights who won both clashes, the second coming in Qualifier 2. The Hawks now have a chance to exact revenge.

Key players

Chadwick Walton (Vancouver): With Chris Gayle away on international duty, the Knights will have a huge hole in terms of runs to fill. Walton has been their next best source runs this season, and he’ll have to step up and fill the gap. So far, he has 197 runs in six outings at 49.25. More of the same is needed.

JP Duminy (Winnipeg): JP Duminy has been an absolute force for the Hawks this season. The firepower and experience he brings to the middle order has been a big part of the reason the Hawks have been unfazed by big chases. So far, he has 299 runs in seven innings at a stupendous 99.66. One more big hit, and he may well lead Hawks to the title.

Likely XIs

Vancouver Knights: Tobias Visee (wk), Chadwick Walton, Rassie van der Dussen, Shoaib Malik (c), Andre Russell, Daniel Sams, Hayden Walsh, Michael Rippon, Saad Bin Zafar, Ali Khan, Rayyan Pathan

Winnipeg Hawks: Shaiman Anwar, Chris Lynn, Sunny Sohal, JP Duminy, Dwayne Smith, Hamza Tariq (wk), Rayad Emrit, Paul van Meekeren, Mohammad Irfan, Kaleem Sana, Umair Ghani

Prediction

The Hawks to do the double over the Knights this season, and win the title.