CPL 2020 Final | Trinbago Knight Riders vs St Lucia Zouks - Statistical Preview

ByFun88, SportsCafe Editor

09/09/2020

Trinbago Knight Riders and St. Lucia Zouks will face off against each other in the final of CPL 2020 to determine the ultimate winner of the league. STZ have defied all the odds so far, reaching the final despite being the underdogs, while TKR have had the perfect campaign imaginable.

Form Guide

St Lucia Zouks- W W L L W

STZ weren't a team who were favored from the start to reach the summit of the tournament. However, they have been efficient and even managed to knock out a giant like Guyana Amazon Warriors in the semi-final. Having won three games of the last five games, STZ have had a mixed form recently, but they have turned up on crucial occasions, which has been the reason for their progress so far in the tournament. In the clash against TKR, STZ will have to punch above their weight again as they did in the semi-finals.

Trinbago Knight Riders - W W W W W

Domination is the word that perfectly defines TKR’s run so far in the tournament. They have justified their 'favourites' tag by winning 11 games on the trot, including the semi-final, and have destroyed their opponents in every match, in every department. Their strength is evident from the fact that there have been multiple players who have contributed to their wins, as opposed to being dependent on one player. From Sunil Narine and Colin Munro to skipper Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons, all players have been heroes in their victories. It is said that history does not matter in the knockout games and one bad day can ruin the whole dominating run, but when history is something like that of TKR’s, it is hard to not put them in the favorites seat.

Key Batsmen

St Lucia Zouks- Roston Chase

While Rahkeem Cornwall and Mark Deyal alone finished off the rain-affected semi-final, winning the match for STZ with 10 wickets, it will be Roston Chase who will hold the key for STZ with the bat. He has been played some crucial knocks this season, winning the games for STZ, most recent of which was unbeaten 32 against Jamaica Tallawahs. He will come in handy in the middle order forming the backbone of STZ’s batting lineup.

Trinbago Knight Riders - Kieron Pollard

Despite Lendl Simmons joining the TKR run party towards the fag end of the tournament, even scoring unbeaten 54 in the semi-final, it is Kieron Pollard, the man who shows up on big occasions, that TKR will bank on to take them home. He has shown time and again that he knows the art of winning games for his teams, be it Mumbai Indians or the National team or TKR in CPL. With such an impeccable experience of big matches, Pollard’s influence on his TKR side cannot be discounted. He has scored 207 runs in the last nine encounters, at an average of 51.75, indicating quite clearly that he is ready for the grand finale.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PREDICTIONS ON THE GAME

Key Bowlers

St Lucia Zouks- Mohammad Nabi

Although Kuggeleijn and Williams are ahead of Nabi in the most wickets charts, taking 16 and 13 wickets respectively, Nabi has had equal or even more contribution than them in STZ’s victories. He has so far taken 12 wickets at an economy 5.08, that too in the powerplays, which goes to show his consistency with the ball. It is without a doubt that Nabi will be banked upon by STZ against the strong batting lineup of TKR.

Trinbago Knight Riders - Fawad Ahmed

The highest wicket-taker for TKR in the current season of CPL, Fawad has played a pivotal role with the ball for the Trinidad based franchise. Despite the presence of veterans like Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine in the team, the Pakistani born leg spinner has not allowed himself to be overshadowed, picking up 11 wickets in the 10 matches he has played at an economy of 6.48. He will be key for the Pollard-led team if they want to pick up the title this time around.

With great depth in the team and the presence of match-winners like Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, and Sunil Narine, TKR have absolutely dominated the whole league and will be favorites to win the final as well. Fun88 predicts that TKR will lift the CPL 2020 trophy against STZ.

Fun88 Predictions

Predicted XI

St Lucia Zouks: Andre Fletcher (wk), Rahkeem Cornwall, Mark Deyal, Roston Chase, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Daren Sammy (c), Scott Kuggeleijn, Obed McCoy, Kesrick Williams, Zahir Khan

Trinbago Knight Riders: Lendl Simmons, Sunil Narine, Colin Munro, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard (c), Tim Seifert (wk), Dwayne Bravo, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales, Ali Khan, Fawad Ahmed

Venue: Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad

When to Watch: Sep 10, 7.30 PM IST

Where to Watch: Star Sports Network and Fan Code