Who will win HKI United vs Galaxy Gladiators, Hong Kong Blitz 2017 5th Match?
The fifth fixture of this year’s revamped Hong Kong Twenty20 Blitz 2017 sees last year’s joint winners take on Galaxy Gladiators Lantau at the Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok. Scheduled to be played on March 10, the live action begins at 10 AM local time.
HKI United vs Galaxy Gladiators: Where to watch/Live streaming
Live streaming: Hong Kong Cricket Association - Youtube
Toss Prediction
Three of the four opening fixtures of the 2017 Hong Kong Twenty20 Blitz have seen the team winning the toss choose to bat second. This goes against previous practice at Mong Kok, however, where Hong Kong’s more recent limited-over internationals have seen the team winning the toss bat first.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds and match prediction for Hong Kong Island United vs Galaxy Gladiators Lantau Hong Kong Twenty20 Blitz 2017....
HKI United Team News & Playing 11
Team News
Pakistan test match captain Misbah-ul-Haq leads HKI United – the only overseas player appointed captain of a franchise team – and they are unlikely to make changes after beating Hung Hom Jaguars in their opening match.
Key Players
Ian Bell headed to Hong Kong on the back of helping Perth Scorchers to victory in Australia’s Big Bash League. The former England batsman – who is still pushing for an international recall – averaged 33 in nine innings for the Scorchers, including a half-century on his debut and an unbeaten 31 in the final. It was Misbah-ul-Haq who impressed in their opening match, however, smashing 82 not out from 37 balls. Veteran former Hong Kong international Munir Dar weighed in with a quickfire 42. With the ball, it is HKI United’s other Pakistan international, Saeed Ajmal, leading the attack. The spinner picked up 2-25 from his four overs in the opening game.
Recent Form
Last year’s joint winners were the final team to get their Hong Kong Twenty20 Blitz 2017 campaign underway, but did so with a big win. After smashing 216/6 from their 20 overs, their bowlers then restricted Hung Hom Jaguars to 183/8 in reply.
HKI United Predicted Playing 11
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George Munsey, Ian Bell, Ehsan Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Munir Dar, Tanwir Afzal, Samuel Badree, Saeed Ajmal, Rory Caines, Dan Pascoe, Kyle Christie
Galaxy Gladiators Lantau Team News & Playing 11
Team News
With Sohail Tanvir and Seekkuge Prasanna ruled out of the tournament, Galaxy Gladiators Lantau had to re-think their overseas players for this year’s tournament, signing Dutch all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate and English off-spinner Azeem Rafiq. The Gladiators have never won a match, and may look to rotate their options – bowler Haseeb Amjad has conceded 68 runs from just four overs so far, and his place in the team could be in danger.
Key Players
Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakarra leads the Galaxy Gladiators Lantau’s overseas list, but has failed to kick on from good starts so far – 19 from eight balls in the first match was followed by 21 from 19 against City Kaitak. Big-hitting New Zealander Jesse Ryder is yet to hit his stride opening the batting either but can be an explosive batsman on his day. Teenage captain Anshy Rath has continued the fine form he showed in Hong Kong’s recent internationals against the Netherlands, however. Rath hit 45 from 26 balls in the opening game, and followed that up with 42 from 29 on matchday two. The 19-year-old needs more support from his fellow batsmen if Galaxy Gladiators Lantau are to finally register a win, however.
Recent Form
Having lost both games they played in last year’s competition, things did not pick up in the first game of this year’s competition for Galaxy Gladiators Lantau when they lost heavily in a rain-affected match against Hung Hom Jaguars. And they remain without a win too, after posting a disappointing 155/9 from their 20 overs against City Kaitak on matchday two. CK chased down that total with 28 balls to spare.
Galaxy Gladiators Predicted Playing 11
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Jesse Ryder, Anshuman Rath, Assad Vala, Kumar Sangakarra, Ryan ten Doeschate, Courtney Kruger, Azeem Rafiq, Mohammad Awais, Karandeep Singh, Arshad Mohammad, Mohammad Ishaq
Team Form in Last Five Matches (most recent first)
Hong Kong Island United: W NR W
Galaxy Gladiators Lantau: L L L T
HKI United vs Galaxy Gladiators Head to Head
The two teams met in one of the inaugural competition’s only completed matches, with HKI United – then known as Island Warriors – bowling Lantau out for 102. They chased down that target in just nine-and-a-half overs, for the loss of just one wicket.
HKI United vs Galaxy Gladiators Betting Odds
HKI United are priced at 1.73 to win with bet365, with Galaxy Gladiators Lantau available at 2.10.
HKI United vs Galaxy Gladiators Prediction
Hong Kong Island United have never lost a Twenty20 Blitz fixture while Galaxy Gladiators Lantau have never won one, and there is nothing to suggest that will change in this fixture. GGL have struggled for runs in their opening two fixtures, while their bowlers have picked up just five wickets. HKI United hit the ground running in their opening game, and will be hopeful of making it two wins from two.
HKI United to make it two wins from two, and keep Galaxy Gladiators Lantau rooted to the bottom of the points table. So back HKI United to beat Galaxy Gladiators Lantau in the fifth match of the Hong Kong Twenty20 Blitz 2017 at 1.73 with bet365.
Mar 10, 2017
07:30 IST / 2:00 GMT
Mission Road Ground - Mong Kok, Hong Kong S.A.R.
Hong Kong T20 Blitz 
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