Balkh Legends vs Paktia Panthers Prediction

BL Team News

Chris Gayle could make his first appearance in the competition, having signed off his List A career with Jamaica with a century in his final Super50 Cup appearance last week. The big question will be who he replaces, with Colin Munro, Ryan ten Doeschate and Ravi Bopara all having scored runs so far. Ben Laughlin, expensive in both games so far, could be the man to make way instead – that would also mean a home-based bowler replacing Usman Ghani in the line-up to retain the current balance. Mirwais Ashraf missed the last match and was replaced in the Balkh Legends line-up by teenager Qais Ahmad.

BL Key Players

Colin Munro was back to his best last time out, with the New Zealander – top scorer in the Caribbean Premier League with 567 runs at an average of 51.54 – smashing 46 from 24 balls at the top of the order.

Chris Gayle’s arrival could be eye-catching too. A T20 legend, with more centuries in the format than any other cricketer, the 39-year-old arrives in good form on the back of his 122 for Jamaica in the Regional Super50 Cup.

Ravi Bopara has also been in the runs – his 34 last time out, following on from an unbeaten 38 against Kabul Zwaman. That game against Kabul also saw Ryan ten Doeschate his 78 not out from 46 balls – his 26th T20 50.

With the ball, captain Mohammad Nabi has taken three wickets and bowled economically so far. He was outshone by Gulbadin Naib last time out, however, who took 4-12 from four overs and now has 5-33 from seven in the tournament so far.