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Match Details
Date: January 20, 2022
Time: 8 PM IST
Venue: Al Amerat Cricket Ground Oman Cricket (Ministry Turf 1), Muscat
Live Ball-by-Ball Commentary: SportsTiger App
Preview
In the first match of much-anticipated Legends League Cricket, India Maharajas will be up against Asia Lions on Thursday. With so many battles like Sehwag vs Akhtar, Harbhajan vs Dilshan, Yuvraj vs Muralitharan resuming once again, the stage is indeed set for a thrilling evening of cricket with legends in action. But who will have an edge going into the opening encounter? Let's check out!
Pitch Report
In last 5 T20Is played at this venue, teams batting first have emerged victorious on 4 occasions so toss could play a crucial factor. It's usually a very tricky and interesting wicket which usually produces a fair contest between bat and ball. A total of 150-160 in first innings could prove to be a fighting total on Thursday.
Decisive Factor
With spinners usually playing a decisive factor in matches played in Oman, India Maharajas could have an edge considering the fact that they have two players who have played some cricket in last couple of years. While Harbhajan Singh played for KKR in IPL 2021, Pragyan Ojha was a part of India Legends side in Road Safety World Series.
Although Asia Lions have a legendary spinner in form of Muttiah Muralitharan, he has not been playing too much cricket in recent times which gives a slight edge to opposition side.
Analysis
Batting
Tillakaratne Dilshan is going to be key for Asia Lions as he was the game-changer with both bat and ball during inaugural edition of Road Safety World Series as well. With Virender Sehwag on the other side, there is not much to separate in the opening department. However, India Maharajas will have an edge in the middle-order with the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif, who have played more cricket in recent times in comparison to Misbah-ul-Haq and Habibul Bashar.
Also Read: Habibul Bashar believes India Maharajas will have an edge over other teams
Bowling
While India Maharajas will have a nod ahead in the spin department as mentioned earlier, the pace department for both sides is quite even. However, the Men in Blue have more variety in their attack with two left-arm pacers (Irfan Pathan and RP Singh) who can swing the bowl both ways which could be a vital asset in Oman. Apart from Munaf Patel, they also have Stuart Binny and Manpreet Gony. On the other hand, Asia Lions only have Chaminda Vaas who is an outright swing-bowler with others like Umar Gul and Shoaib Akhtar relying more on pace.
Squads
India Maharajas
Virender Sehwag (c), Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, S Badrinath, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Naman Ojha (wk), Manpreet Gony, Hemang Badani, Venugopal Rao, Munaf Patel, Sanjay Bangar, Nayan Mongia, Mohammad Kaif, Stuart Binny and Amit Bhandari, Wasim Jaffer.
Asia Lions
Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kamran Akmal (wk), Chaminda Vaas, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Azhar Mahmood, Upul Tharanga, Mohammed Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammed Yousuf, Umar Gul, Asghar Afghan, Habibul Bashar, Dilhara Fernando and Ajantha Mendis.
Match Prediction
Conclusion
Considering the factors of team bonding, recent form and balance of the side, India Maharajas will go into the contest as favourites. Although Asia Lions have some legendary names who can turn the tides in their favour on given day, it is going to be a huge challenge for them to beat a star-studded side led by Virender Sehwag.