Dec 9: Galle Gladiators vs Dambulla Viiking, Hambantota

Pro Tip: Galle Gladiators (903 runs) and Dambulla Viiking (867 runs) have been the best batting sides in the tournament. At the same time, the Gladiators bowlers have taken the fewest wickets (26) in the competition. Keep that in mind when making the picks.

Our XI: Niroshan Dickwella, Azam Khan, Danushka Gunathilaka, Ahsan Ali, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Samiullah Shinwari, Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Perera, Mohammad Amir, Anwar Ali, Malinda Pushpakumara

Substitutes: Lakshan Sandakan, Shehan Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Samit Patel

Player availability: Upul Tharanga and Oshada Fernando from Viiking are doubtful for this game. Shahid Afridi will miss out for Gladiators. We might not always be able to tip you off about late injury (or other relevant) updates, so please finalise your team after the toss.

Captain: Danushka Gunathilaka

The highest scorer of the tournament, Gunathilaka has scored 322 runs in six innings at an average of 64.40 right now. His lowest score so far is 30*. He might also get you a wicket or two.

Vice-captain: Dasun Shanaka

Shanaka is second on the run-scorers' list with 236 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 169.78. He also has 14 sixes. He hasn't bowled that regularly this season, but has a wicket to his name too.

Hot Picks

Azam Khan: After a string of impressive but small cameos, Khan showed his true potential in the last two games, where he scored a 24-ball 55 and a 16-ball 35*. His average of 39.50 and strike rate of 188.09 make him a standout player.

Niroshan Dickwella: Dickwella, too, has found his form only after the first four games. His last two scores are 60 and 28*, and he has also effected the most dismissals (seven) for wicketkeepers so far.

Mohammad Amir: Amir has taken the most wickets for Gladiators, with seven strikes in six games. He is also the only bowler to take a five-wicket haul, which helped his side post their first win of the season in the last game.

Differential Picks

Anwar Ali: Anwar can be expensive at times, but he will get you wickets. He is joint fourth on the wicket-takers' list, with seven wickets at a strike rate of 12.5. He is also handy with the bat.

Ahsan Ali: Ahsan was the third-choice opener for Gladiators, but after Chadwick Walton and Hazratullah Zazai failed to nail the position, he came in and settled down nicely, scoring 104 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 131.64.

Alternate Scenarios

If Upul Tharanga plays, he can replace Angelo Perera.
Lakshan Sandakan and Malinda Pushpakumara can be swapped.