Match Details
Date: 29 January 2022
Time: 8 PM IST
Venue: Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Oman
Ball-by-ball Commentary: SportsTiger App
Preview:
Legends will take their guards against each other for one final time, and as the trend continues, it will be one hell of a cracking night. World Giants surprised India Maharajas in the last-ball thriller to knock the latter out of the league and seal their berth into the finals. At the same time, Asia Lions will look to lift the title by avenging their previous defeat in the league stage against World Giants.
Pitch Report:
As pitch will provide some edge to bowlers in the game's second innings, batters will have the last laugh in the finals. We can expect blistering knocks from a few batters, as the pitch is batting friendly. But if bowlers get lucky, they can be vital as well.
Team Analysis:
Asia Lions:
Asia Lions defeated India Maharajas in their last match on the league stage. Upul Tharanga's heroic and Asghar Afghan's blistering knock guided the team's total to 193 runs. Misbah ul Haq will be looking towards both the players for vital contributions in the finals. At the same time, players like Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mohammad Yousuf, and skipper Misbah will have to play an essential knock if they hope to upset Giants. Lions' bowling has contributed in intervals, and their consistency was a missing factor in the tournament. However, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Kulasekara and Mohammad Rafique will have to bowl significantly well to pose formidable challenges in front of the Giants' batting lineup studded with star players.
World Giants:
Giants' batting has made most of the noise in the previous few games, while Bret Lee's last over brilliance guided the team into finals. Kevin Pietersen, Herschelle Gibbs, Kevin O'Brien will be critical factors for the team, and their performance can turn the match in Giants' favour. Albie Morkel and Darren Sammy (c) will have to perform all-around to make a decisive edge in the game for their team. The bowling looks strong and can put Lions' batters in doubt; bowlers like Bret Lee, Ryan Sidebottom and Morne Morkel can be decisive in the high-stake game.
Playing XI:
Asia Lions: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kamran Akmal (wk), Upul Tharanga, Mohammad Hafeez, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Shahid Afridi, Azhar Mahmood, Umar Gul, Nuwan Kulasekara, Shoaib Akhtra, Muttiah Muralitharan
World Giants: Herschelle Gibbs, Kevin Pietersen, Jonty Rhodes, Albie Morkel, Daniel Vettori, Corey Anderson, Brad Haddin (wk), Darren Sammy (c), Morne Morkel, Ryan Sidebottom, Brett Lee
Match Prediction:
Conclusion: No one can deny that it's going to be a thrilling battle between both teams, but considering the performances of both sides in the last two matches, World Giants have a clear edge in the game. And they will likely finish the game as the champions of the Legends League Cricket.