Today's PSL final is undoubtedly the biggest match in the league's history, pitting Pakistan's two major cities against one another. But not only is it a heavy-weight clash; it is also an intriguing match-up of two nuanced teams. Here's a tactical thread for the game. #HBLPSLV

In Qualifier 1 Multan’s LH opening pair in didn’t dissuade Imad from opening the bowling. Will Lahore's?
Early wickets & getting RHs to the crease early will allow Imad to operate more freely (he only bowled two overs v LH-heavy Multan in Qualifier 1)

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Leftie spin hitter Dunk savaged SLAs Imad & Umer in Match 23. KK will be wary of his destructive ability v SLA spin
Expect off spinner Iftilkhar to bowl, particularly if any of the three lefties bat long, to take the ball away from the bat

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Amir v in-form Wiese is a key death battle. Amir backs his yorkers but the margin for error v Wiese is small & back of a length is safer
KK’s batting Powerplay sees the season's most solid Powerplay batting team (DR 26) v most potent Powerplay bowling team (SR 19)

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Babar v Shaheen is a box office match-up that Babar has dominated (55-0 off 33 balls)
Babar averages just 15 v left-arm in swing. Shaheen should continue to back his aggressive approach

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Will SLA spinner Samit bowl? Multan's lefties meant Samit didn’t bowl in Qualifier 2. Karachi have three lefties & open with one (Sharjeel)
LH Sharjeel is a key wicket to bring RH in & Samit into play. Lahore may open with off spinner Hafeez to target Sharjeel

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Karachi may float their middle order lefties Imad & Rutherford to disrupt Samit if he’s pushed out of the Powerplay and into the middle overs by Sharjeel
Hafeez may bowl all Samit’s overs if KK float the LHs
Walton is vulnerable v Rauf's high speeds

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Lahore's lefties batting deep will mess with Karachi's bowling options by making it harder to deploy Imad & we may see Iftikhar very soon. However, if Tamim continues to struggle Karachi won't mind him chewing up balls. #HBLPSLV

We're reaching the point now where Sohail should consider sliding down below Hafeez and Dunk. If Lahore send Dunk in at three then Karachi may not get any more overs from Imad. #HBLPSLV