Balochistan will be squaring off against Central Punjab at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad for the 8th match of the tournament.
Match Details
Date- Wednesday, October 16
Time- 6:00 PM (IST)
Venue- Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Weather & Pitch Report
The weather for Faisalabad is clear and is likely to be hot and humid throughout. With the game scheduled to be at night and a fresh surface to be provided, totals such as 160+ could be considered as par.
Balochistan
Balochistan started off their campaign with a defeat against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by seven wickets while defending a target of 141. Nevertheless, they did manage to bounce back with an emphatic 53 runs win after scoring a mammoth 233/6 in the first innings.
Imam-ul-Haq and Awais Zia had a 60 run stand for the first wicket in the last game and should continue to open against Central Punjab. Awais Zia top-scored for his side against Singh with 48 ball 77.
Bismillah Khan chipped in with a fifty at number three and should be persisted with at the same order. Skipper, Haris Sohail, Hussain Talat, Amad Butt, and Imran Farhat should take care of the middle order.
Veteran fast bowler, Umar Gul could once again lead the pace attack alongside Amad Butt and Akif Javed. Yasir Shah and Mohammad Asghar could be brought in the middle overs to assist their side with a bit of spin.
Squad- Imam-ul-Haq, Awais Zia, Hussain Talat, Haris Sohail (C), Imran Farhat, Bismillah Khan (WK), Amad Butt, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Umar Gul, Akif Javed, Mohammad Talha, Ali Shafiq, Imran Butt, Shahbaz Khan, Taimur Khan.
Central Punjab
Similar to Balochistan, Central Punjab also started off the tournament with a defeat. Central Punjab had to endure a three-wicket loss to Sindh in spite of scoring close to 190 in the first innings. However, Babar Azam’s men sprung back into the mix by chasing a mammoth total of 223 against the Northern side. With Babar Azam scoring a hundred in the first game, it was his opening partner Ahmed Shehzad who stepped up and scored 111 of 63 balls and contributed significantly in Central Punjab’s famous win. Babar Azam and Ahmed Shahzad will look to continue their good run with the bat up top against Balochistan. The experienced, Kamran Akmal could come in at number three. Meanwhile, Umar Akmal, Rizwan Hussain, Saad Nasim and Faheem Ashraf could do some big hitting in the middle order.
In terms of bowling, Faheem Ashraf could lead the pace attack. Waqas Maqsood might have to make way for Hasan Ali after conceding over 50 runs in the last game. Usman Qadir and Nasim Shah could chip in through the middle overs.
Squad- Babar Azam (C), Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal (WK), Umar Akmal, Rizwan Hussain, Bilal Asif, Fahim Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Saad Naseem, Waqas Maqsood, Usman Qadir. Salman Butt, Hasan Ali, Ahmad Bashir, Ali Shan, Zafar Gohar.
BAL vs CEP Possible Playing Eleven
Balochistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Awais Zia, Hussain Talat, Haris Sohail (C), Imran Farhat, Bismillah Khan (WK), Amad Butt, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Umar Gul, Akif Javed.
Central Punjab: Babar Azam (C), Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal (WK), Umar Akmal, Rizwan Hussain, Bilal Asif, Fahim Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Saad Naseem, Waqas Maqsood/ Hasan Ali, Usman Qadir.
Top Picks
The opening duo of Ahmed Shehzad and Babar Azam have scored a hundred each this season and could continue their good form with the bat next game.
Amad Butt picked up three wickets and scored 31 in the last game for Balochistan and is a decent all-round option. Imam-ul-Haq and Awais Zia have been in good touch as well with the bat.
Captain options- Babar Azam | Imam ul Haq | Ahmed Shehzad
Vice-captain options- Fahim Ashraf | Awais Zia | Haris Sohail
(To get exclusive tips related to your fantasy team, enter your name and phone number below)
BAL vs CEP Dream11 Today Match Prediction | Fantasy Team