Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars Tips & Preview - Azam backed to win it for Kings

The Lahore Qalandars not only lost their last two matches but have failed to score anything meaningful in terms of runs. With Babar Azam in form, I am backing the Karachi Kings to win this match and keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Karachi Kings have won three of their last five matches against the Lahore Qalandars. In their match earlier this season the Qalandars won by six wickets in a very tight encounter.

The Karachi Kings have not enjoyed the best of season as they find themselves in fifth spot on six points. They have managed three victories from their eight matches.

In their last match the Kings were well beaten by Peshawar Zalmi. Batting first, star batsman Babar Azam was dismissed first ball. Karachi Kings never recovered as they went on to only score 108 runs.

Zalmi cruised to victory in 11 overs. Hazratulla Zazai smashed a 17-ball fifty as the Kings bowlers struggled. This is a must-win match if the Karachi Kings have any hope of making the final.

Despite scoring a duck in the last match, Babar Azam did score 80+ in the two matches prior. 

There could be a move up the order for Martin Guptill who has struggled at three. The Kings have a lineup full of quality so I expect them to remain unchanged.

The Lahore Qalandars are in third place but need to get more points. They were disappointing in their last encounter as they allowed bottom of the table, Quetta Gladiators to beat them.

The Gladiators scored 158 runs batting first in Abu Dhabi. James Faulkner was the pick of the Qalandars bowlers, taking 3-25.

The Qalandars could only score 140 as they lost by 19 runs. Tim David scored 46 runs off 27 balls but he had little support to help get them over the line.

One bad result is unlikely to result in wholesale changes. Pitch conditions could force a change or two but it should be a similar lineup.