APL 2022 | Qualifier 1 | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI & CREX XI

The first edition of the Andhra Premier League (APL) nears its conclusion as we move towards the tournament's qualifier stage. 


Four top teams out of six have qualified for the playoffs and are set to battle it out for the prestigious trophy. 


The first qualifier will see Coastal Riders and Bezawada Tigers lock horns against each other to secure a place in the all-important final. 


After having a shaky start to their campaign with two consecutive defeats, Coastal Riders made a remarkable comeback and entered the knockouts by winning their last three encounters. 

On the other hand, Bezawada Tigers have been reasonably consistent in the tournament, ensuring their participation in the qualifier.  

Match details

Venue: Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA – VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam 

Date and Time: July 15 at 6.30 PM IST & local time

Live streaming: FanCode app and website, Star Sports 1 Telugu


Pitch report

  • The Vizag surface has favoured the bowlers slightly more than the batters, as evident from the average run rate of 7.73 at the venue.
  • Teams bowling first have emerged victorious in eight matches, which is why the toss-winner of today's game will most likely opt to field first. 


Key players

  • Mitta Lekhaz Reddy has been the most prolific batter for Coastal Riders, with 109 runs at a good average of 36.33. 

  • Pyla Avinash has been the top scorer for Bezawada Tigers with 117 runs at a pretty healthy average of 39. His consistency has been one of the significant reasons behind the Tigers' success in the tournament.  

  • Cheepurapalli Stephen is in a marvellous touch with the ball for the Riders as the left-arm seamer has picked seven wickets at a decent strike rate of 15.42.


CREX XI

Wicket-keeper: Mitta Lekhaz Reddy 

Batsmen: Bodapati Sumanth, CR Gnaneshwar, Pyla Avinash, Sirla Hima Srinivas

All-rounders: Pinniti Tapaswi, B Munish Varma

Bowlers: Bandaru Ayyappa, Cheepurapalli Stephen, Siraparapu Ashish, Lalith Mohan 


Captain: Mitta Lekhaz Reddy

Vice-captain: Cheepurapalli Stephen

 


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