February 23: Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United, Lahore
Our XI: Fakhar Zaman, Chris Lynn, Ben Dunk, Colin Ingram, Dawid Malan, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Usman Shinwari, Seekkuge Prasanna, Hussain Talat, Haris Rauf
Captain: Fakhar Zaman
Zaman is a dasher who is difficult to stop when he gets going. He was the highest run-scorer for his side in PSL 2019 with 285 runs at a strike rate of 137.68. In T20s, 63% of his runs come in boundaries and in PSL 2019, 67% of his runs came in boundaries. Once he gets his eye in, he could get you loads of points.
Vice-captain: Shadab Khan
On a pitch that is expected to be a bit tacky, a wicket-taking legspinner as your vice-captain is a good choice. Shadab has picked up seven wickets in his last five T20 games (domestic and international) and also scored a 64 not out.
Hot Picks
Usman Shinwari: Shinwari picked up 13 wickets at a strike rate of 14.3 for Karachi Kings last season. His career strike rate is 16.4, which suggests he had an above-par tournament the last time. He also picked up five-for in the last T20 game he played.
Haris Rauf: Rauf has picked up 35 wickets in wins and six wickets in losses in T20s, which clearly suggests that if he picks up wickets, his team wins. His 20 wickets in the recent BBL is the most by an Asian bowler in a single season of the competition.
Value Picks:
Hussain Talat: Talat is a genuine allrounder with 1696 runs and 31 wickets in T20s. He has a strike rate of 122 with the bat and 18.6 with the ball, so he can get you points in either half.
Seekkuge Prasanna: The Sri Lankan has been a regular in the BPL and CPL over the years, but this will be his maiden PSL stint. He started off as a legspinner who could bat a bit but has developed into a proper power-hitter. Prasanna has a batting strike rate of 161.35 in the format to go with his 115 wickets at a strike rate of 7.11.
Point to note