Paktia Panthers vs Kabul Zwanan Prediction

KZ Team News

Kabul Zwanan handed Usman Adil a debut in their final group game. His 11 not out from 18 balls proved costly, however - slowing the innings down as Kabul finished just a few runs below par. Wayne Parnell came in at number three in that match, and may stay up the order having scored 42 from 28 balls. Laurie Evans is also likely to return, having been rested for that match. Ali Khan was the man to come in, making just his second appearance of the tournament, but went wicketless again. Rashid Khan will also return, having also been rested for the final group game.

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Colin Ingram top-scored in the last match, having captained the team with Rashid Khan rested. His unbeaten 83 was his first big score of the tournament, having previously hit 84* and 51 in two matches for Boost Defenders in Abu Dhabi before making the short trip to Sharjah for the APL.

Laurie Evans and Hazratullah Zazai have been their star men with the bat, however. Evans - who arrived in Sharjah on the back of being the top run scorer in the t20 Blast - has hit three half-centuries so far in this year's tournament, top-scoring with 79 not out when these two teams met in the first match.

Hazratullah, meanwhile, smashed the APL''s first (and so far only) century when he bludgeoned 124 from 55 balls against Nangarhar Leopards, while he hit the headlines again when he smashed six sixes in an over in a losing cause against Balkh Legends - equalling the record for fastest T20 50 in the process.

With the ball, captain Rashid Khan was back to his best before being rested for the final group game - he took 1-14 from four overs and then smashed an unbeaten 27 off eight balls to lead Kabul to victory against Kandahar Knights.

Wayne Parnell, who also excelled with the bat last time out after being promoted to number three, is their top wicket-taker so far with nine from eight games. He has been expensive, however.

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Kabul Zwanan won three of their first four matches in the APL but only one of the final four. They beat Paktia Panthers on the opening night by three-wickets, with Laurie Evans leading them to victory with 79* from 39 balls to set the tone for the tournament.

While they have been expensive with the ball, Evans and Hazratullah Zazai - as well as contributions from Luke Ronchi and, last time out, Colin Ingram have ensured they have been competitive in almost every game.

While their much-changed team lost to Paktia Panthers last time out - posting 168/4 from 20 overs, which the Panthers chased down for the loss of four wickets with two balls to spare - they beat Kandahar Knights the last time they had their full-strength team out.

On that occasion, having restricted the Knights to 152/5, Laurie Evans hit a patient 32 not out before Rashid Khan smashed the penultimate over for 23 to lead Kabul Zwanan to a four-wicket win.