MLC 2023 | LAKR vs SFU: Match Preview, Pitch Report, Predicted XIs, Fantasy Tips, & Prediction

Los Angeles Knight Riders lost both their opening games | Source: Twitter 

Los Angeles Knight Riders will look to open their winning account in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023 when they will lock horns with the San Francisco Unicorns on Wednesday, July 19 at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas. 

Los Angeles Knight Riders' tournament dreams got off to a nightmarish start with two consecutive losses, leaving them reeling at the bottom of the points table. They were outplayed by the Texas Super Kings, losing by 69 runs, and were dealt another blow with a demoralizing 105-run defeat at the hands of MI New York. 

During the last match against MI New York, the Los Angeles Knight Riders' bowlers put up a great show, restricting the opposition to just 155 runs. However, their batting let them down big time, as they were bundled out for a mere 50 runs in just  13.5 overs.

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The Knight Riders have the option to bring Jason Roy as the opening batter, considering the struggles of Unmukt Chand and Martin Guptill in that role. All in all, their ultimate goal is to notch their first victory of the season and move up in the points table. 

San Francisco Unicorns, on the other hand, began their tournament campaign with a thumping 22-run victory over the MI New York. However, they couldn't sustain their winning streak and succumbed to a 35-run defeat against the Seattle Orcas in their very next match. 

Their chase of 178 runs against the Orcas ended in disappointment as they were bundled out for 142 runs in 17.5 overs. Currently languishing in the second-to-last position on the points table, they are eager to stage a strong comeback in this upcoming contest. 

Match Details

Date and Time: 19 July, 6:00 AM IST

Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas 

Live Streaming and Broadcast: Sports18 & JioCinema

Pitch Report

The pitch at this venue has maintained a trend of producing low-scoring contests throughout the tournament, and Wednesday's match is expected to be no different. Given that the majority of matches have been won by the team batting first, the captain winning the toss will likely choose to follow suit.  

Predicted Playing XI

Los Angeles Knight Riders: Martin Guptill/Jason Roy, Unmukt Chand, Rilee Rossouw, Nitish Kumar, Jaskaran Malhotra (wk), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine (c), Corne Dry, Adam Zampa, Lockie Ferguson, Ali Khan

San Francisco Unicorns: Finn Allen, Matthew Wade (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Finch (c), Corey Anderson, Shadab Khan, Tajinder Dhillon, Chaitanya Bishnoi, Carmi le Roux, Haris Rauf, Liam Plunkett

Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips 

Wicket-Keepers: Matthew Wade, Fin Allen 
Batters: Rilee Rossouw, Corey Anderson
All-Rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Marcus Stoinis, Shadab Khan 
Bowlers: Adam Zampa, Lockie Ferguson, Haris Rauf

Captain: Shadab Khan 
Vice-Captain: Andre Russell 

Prediction 

The Los Angeles Knight Riders are entering this game after enduring two consecutive devastating defeats. They will be eager to make strategic changes and stage a strong comeback. With a formidable squad in comparison to their opponents, they are poised to enter this match as the favorites. 

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