Emaan vs Haya: (Head To Head: Emaan wins 2-0-0)
Two teams. One mission. In one corner, you have Emaan, a team who've set a precedence as the league's most noisiest offence. Team orange has been a menace this season and has penalized each team on the scoresheet. Their ability to suffocate the opposition in their own zone has been a talent that hasn't been replicated by many teams. They might not be defensively decisive, but have been able to hold their own. This first place squad has every right to flex their guns, but do remember the i-Slam myth:
"No first place team has ever won the championships..."
In the other corner, you have Haya. A team peppered with dynamic players that have braved many storms to reach this point of the spring season. Haya was on a roll earlier this season as this squad toppled anyone that dared to be an obstacle. Then Waqar Khan left for a brief Pakistani stint and for almost a month the team appeared to be writing their own obituary. Haya became a nail-bitter but then the resurgence of Khan revitalized the aura in Haya, and here we are, two wins away from the finish line. Can Haya take it all the way?
Offense:
Emaan's offensive guts has been the infectious line of Al-Hundi-Hindy-Sowdagar. The trio have set record points and have stunned the opposition with their chemistry. Unfortunately, the bus remains stationary past Emaan's first line. Huzaifa Manjara has lit the lamp when feasible, but there was more expectations from first round pick Arif Bijabhai. The lanky sprinter has only 1 point in the last 5 games and needs to get out of this funk.
Haya has been fortunate to witness offensive avenues as colourful as a plate of biryani, after Waqar Khan that is. This diversity will be key for the blue shirts as Azhar Kalair, Farooq Sani and Azim Siddique will be expected to rise to the occasion. Speaking about Khan, the strapping forward has a mammoth 7 points in his last 4 games and will be on the radar for Emaan. Farooq Sani has also been a heavy broker upfront and will see heavy minutes in the next two games.
Defense:
Emaan has been tender around the corners when it comes to their defensive coverage. The orange shirts still remain notorious for allowing the most goals and need to add a big piece to assist with Huzaifa Manjara on the blue line. Saqib Sheikh and Madni Danial are meeting the basic criteria; but will these pieces win you a championship? The orange shirts will need defenders that can shadow and out-muscle studs like Waqar Khan and Azhar Kalair.
Neutralizing Emaan's forward will be the theme for Haya, and that's where the experience of Sajid Bhayat plays an orbital role. Reeling in this booksmart defensemen into the locker room was a clever maneuver for Haya. Expect Bhayat to dictate the backend while Farrukh Khan's offensive attention hopefully creates scoring chances for the blue shirts. GM Zuhair Fancy's presence at the blue line adds some welcomed physicality that should disturb Emaan's offensive cohort.
Goaltending:
Khalid Mufti is no stranger to the post season and has been through this phase before. Mufti will be highly counted on stealing games for his crew while shutting down Waqar Khan and company. His playoff experience should be advantageous compared to his rival.
If there's a monumental task for Kaunain Saiyed then it's succeeding in these next two games. Saiyed might not be as experienced as Khalid Mufti but has sold the skeptics with his newly found confidence. Kaunain has been the saviour in previous games and will be expected on holding the fort for his team.
Whom are you riding with? Can Haya muffle Emaan once and for all? Or will Emaan storm passed Haya with their elaborate and grizzled offence?
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