Dec 10: Galle Gladiators vs Kandy Tuskers, Hambantota
Pro Tip: This game will decide the final qualification spot. Expect a close game and make sure you have at least five players from each side. Also, back the experienced and big-game players.
Our XI: Azam Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kusal Perera, Brendan Taylor, Kusal Mendis, Ahsan Ali, Danushka Gunathilaka, Asela Gunaratne, Mohammad Amir, Lakshan Sandakan, Naveen-ul-Haq
Substitutes: Dale Steyn, Irfan Pathan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chadwick Walton
Player availability: Shahid Afridi of Galle Gladiators will be missing this game too. We might not always be able to tip you off about late injury (or other relevant) updates, so please finalise your team after the toss.
Captain: Danushka Gunathilaka
The highest scorer of the tournament at this stage, Gunathilaka has scored 322 runs in six innings at an average of 64.40. His lowest score so far is 30*. He might also get you a wicket or two.
Vice-captain: Asela Gunaratne
Gunaratne has picked up seven wickets in six innings and has scored 104 runs at a strike rate of 140.54. He has bowled exceptionally well in powerplays in particular, picking up four wickets at an economy of 5.40.
Hot Picks
Kusal Mendis: One of the top-five scorers of the tournament, and also the best for the Tuskers, Mendis has 193 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 139.85. With the experience of playing over 100 limited-overs games for Sri Lanka, he is expected to step up and score runs in what is an all-important game for the Tuskers.
Azam Khan: After a string of impressive but small cameos, Khan showed his true potential in the last two games, where he scored a 24-ball 55 and a 16-ball 35*. His average of 39.50 and strike rate of 188.09 make him a standout player.
Mohammad Amir: Amir has taken the most wickets for the Gladiators, with seven strikes in six games. He is also the only bowler to take a five-wicket haul, which helped his side post their first win of the season.
Differential Picks
Ahsan Ali: Ahsan was the third-choice opener for the Gladiators, but after Chadwick Walton and Hazratullah Zazai failed to nail the position, he came in and settled down nicely, scoring 104 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 131.64.
Lakshan Sandakan: The only left-arm wristspinner in the tournament, Sandakan has been in and out of the side but has picked up six wickets in four games at an average of 20.66. As his career tally of 56 wickets in 50 games suggests, he is a genuine wicket-taker.
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