Fantasy Picks: Top order batsmen and spinners key at Lahore

March 15: Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans, Lahore

Our XI: Ben Dunk, Sohail Akhtar, Zeeshan Ashraf, Chris Lynn, Shan Masood, Khushdil Shah, Samit Patel, Shaheen Afridi, Shahid Afridi, Imran Tahir and Sohail Tanvir

Captain: Chris Lynn

Lynn came back into the team after a small break, batted at No. 3 and smashed a 32-ball 59. He failed in the last game, scoring just 5 but we are backing him to get a big score against Multan. He scored a 19-ball 39 the last time he played against this very opponent.

Vice Captain: Zeeshan Ashraf

The departure of James Vince and Rilee Rossouw has given Ashraf more responsibility at the top of the order. He responded really well with a 52 against Peshawar Zalmi. His strike rate against pace is 131.52 in all T20s while it goes up slightly to 135.71 against spin, suggesting he plays both pace and spin equally well.

Hot Picks

Ben Dunk

With 266 runs in the tournament at an average of 53.20 and a strike rate of 186.01, Dunk has made it impossible to leave him out of any side in this PSL. He has the best strike rate among all those who have faced 100+ balls in the tournament.

Shan Masood

Masood has been extremely consistent this PSL. He may not have too many big scores to his name, but he has contributed in virtually every game. He has scored twenty or more runs in five out of seven innings so far. The Multan captain is a must-have.

Imran Tahir

Tahir might have had an off day against Peshawar but he is still the only spinner with 10 or more wickets in the tournament. Tahir has a dot ball percentage of 39.09 against the right-handers in PSL 2020. Against a predominantly right-handed Lahore middle order, he should be a handful.

Value Picks

Sohail Akhtar

Akhtar’s performances have been second to none since he decided to open the batting for Lahore. He has scored two fifties in his last three innings and averages 54 as an opener this PSL, the second best in the tournament.

Khushdil Shah

Shah has played a couple of cameos for Multan, often helping his side put on an additional 10 to 15 runs. His strike rate in the death in PSL is 139.28, significantly higher than his overall strike rate of 104.42 in the tournament. He is a value pick.

Points to note

• The average first innings score at the Gadaffi stadium this PSL is 170 (completed innings only considered.

• Pacers have gone at 8.88 while spinners have gone at 7.58 at the venue in the tournament.