We have reached the point of the NHL season where fans have to check the standings each morning to find out whether their team is in or out of the playoffs. But for this week's ESPN NHL Power Rankings, we took the whole campaign into consideration, and identified the player on each team who leveled up this season.

How we rank: The ESPN hockey editorial staff submits selections ranking teams 1-31, and those results are tabulated to the list featured here. Teams are rated through Tuesday night's games, taking into account overall record, recent success and other factors such as injuries.

Last week's rankings

Note: Standings point pace is based on games through March 11. Many stats are courtesy of Hockey Reference.

1. Boston Bruins

Previous ranking: 1
Standings point pace: 117

He's third in the league in points right now, and is going head-to-head with Alex Ovechkin for the goal-scoring title. David Pastrnak is taking his game to new superstar levels this season.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous ranking: 4
Standings point pace: 108

When the Lightning lost Victor Hedman to injury this week, it was 21-year-old Mikhail Sergachev whom they trusted the most to absorb the top defenseman's ice time. Sergachev is making the trade for Jonathan Drouin look one-sided.

3. St. Louis Blues

Previous ranking: 2
Standings point pace: 109

Last one, best one. David Perron is on his third stint with the Blues, and this is his most productive one yet. The first-time All Star has already set a career high with 60 points with 12 games remaining.

4. Colorado Avalanche

Previous ranking: 3
Standings point pace: 108

Before this season, Pavel Francouz had appeared in two NHL games. The 29-year-old is now outplaying Philipp Grubauer. Francouz has won 20 of his 29 starts, with a .922 save percentage.

5. Washington Capitals

Previous ranking: 5
Standings point pace: 107

After a disappointing postseason (zero points in seven games against the Hurricanes) Jakub Vrana has bounced back in a big way. His ice time is up, he already has notched his career high in points and should hit 30 goals for the first time.

6. Philadelphia Flyers

Previous ranking: 6
Standings point pace: 106

Travis Konecny signed a new deal this summer, and his $5.5 million average annual value is already looking like a steal. One of the league's best chirpers is also leading his team in goals per 60 minutes.

7. Vegas Golden Knights

Previous ranking: 8
Standings point pace: 99

Since the Golden Knights debuted, they've never had a true, elite No. 1 defenseman. Shea Theodore -- who leads the team in ice time and has 46 points -- is coming close to unlocking that status this season.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous ranking: 9
Standings point pace: 102

He has spent some time on IR this season (what Penguin hasn't?) but Bryan Rust is still crushing his previous personal bests. The winger is a point-per-game player, much higher than his previous best of 38 points in 69 games two years ago.

9. Edmonton Oilers

Previous ranking: 10
Standings point pace: 96

Leon Draisaitl has taken his game to new heights this season. The 24-year-old, who leads the league in points, is no longer viewed as Connor McDavid's sidekick; Draisaitl is a star in his own right.

10. Dallas Stars

Previous ranking: 7
Standings point pace: 97

What more is there to say about Denis Gurianov at this point? The 22-year-old has been a treat to watch, and leads the Stars in goals, even while playing fewer minutes than perhaps he should.

11. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous ranking: 13
Standings point pace: 98

He's 19 and already tearing it up with 61 points in 68 games this season. Andrei Svechnikov is the next Russian superstar you need to know.

12. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous ranking: 12
Standings point pace: 95

Last season wasn't the smoothest for William Nylander, but the 23-year-old Swede has proved why he was worth all the contract drama. He has hit 30 goals for the first time in his career.

13. New York Islanders

Previous ranking: 11
Standings point pace: 96

Ryan Pulock lost his usual defense partner, Adam Pelech, to injury early in the season. But Pulock is still the Isles' most-trusted defenseman, leading New York blueliners in ice time, goals and points.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous ranking: 17
Standings point pace: 95

Goaltending was supposed to be an area of weakness for Columbus this season. Elvis Merzlikins (a virtual unknown) leveled up, especially when Joonas Korpisalo went down because of injury. The rookie has five shutouts and a .935 save percentage through 31 starts.

15. New York Rangers

Previous ranking: 16
Standings point pace: 93

Mika Zibanejad's five-goal night got a ton of attention, but the NHL's most productive DJ is averaging 0.71 goals per game, nearly double the 0.37 he recorded last season.

16. Calgary Flames

Previous ranking: 15
Standings point pace: 93

Entering the season, we weren't sure what the Flames would get out of their goaltending tandem of Cam Talbot and David Rittich. The team has been inconsistent, but both goalies leveled up this season.

17. Vancouver Canucks

Previous ranking: 14
Standings point pace: 93

We figured a Hughes brother would be making noise during his rookie season. But instead of Jack Hughes, the No. 1 overall pick last spring, it's older brother Quinn Hughes who is a front-runner for the Calder Trophy.

18. Winnipeg Jets

Previous ranking: 18
Standings point pace: 92

With so much offseason turnover, 24-year-old Neal Pionk -- acquired in the Jacob Trouba trade -- was thrust into a top role with the Jets almost immediately. He has done great, leading Winnipeg blueliners in ice time and points.

19. Florida Panthers

Previous ranking: 20
Standings point pace: 93

Lately, Chris Driedger has leveled up for the Panthers. It has been a small sample (11 starts), but with a .936 save percentage, he has been a much better option than $10 million man Sergei Bobrovsky.

20. Minnesota Wild

Previous ranking: 19
Standings point pace: 92

In Nashville, Kevin Fiala was always a vaunted prospect who had yet to pan out. A trade to Minnesota clearly revived him. He has been a big part of the Wild's resurgence, with 14 goals in his past 18 games.

21. Nashville Predators

Previous ranking: 21
Standings point pace: 93

Roman Josi has never truly received the credit he is due. In his first season without P.K. Subban, he has leveled up on offense. He leads the Preds in points, and has 17 more than his next-closest teammate.

22. Arizona Coyotes

Previous ranking: 22
Standings point pace: 87

Conor Garland got his NHL shot last season as the Coyotes dealt with unrelenting injury luck. Garland proved he has a chance to stick around by leading Arizona in goals this season.

23. Montreal Canadiens

Previous ranking: 23
Standings point pace: 82

Tomas Tatar's career wasn't in great shape when he was traded to the Golden Knights two years ago and faltered. With a career-high 61 points this season, Tatar found his game again as a now-untouchable piece for the Habs.

24. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous ranking: 24
Standings point pace: 84

The Blackhawks traded a mere fifth-round pick to the Kings for Dominik Kubalik's rights last year. The 24-year-old worked all the way up to the Blackhawks' top line, and leads all rookies with 29 goals.

25. New Jersey Devils

Previous ranking: 26
Standings point pace: 81

The season didn't begin as he (or the team) wanted, but 23-year-old Mackenzie Blackwood upped his game this season. He has won 14 of his past 27 starts, compiling a .927 save percentage in that span.

26. Buffalo Sabres

Previous ranking: 25
Standings point pace: 81

Victor Olofsson, a 2014 seventh-round pick, went to six development camps before he finally got his shot on the NHL roster this season. With 20 goals and 42 points, he's proving he is here to stay.

27. Anaheim Ducks

Previous ranking: 27
Standings point pace: 77

We've got to give kudos to Nicolas Deslauriers, who leveled up this week with a first-period hat trick against the Senators. Entering Tuesday, he had only four goals in 57 games.

28. Los Angeles Kings

Previous ranking: 30
Standings point pace: 75

One of the bright spots on the Kings this season is 26-year-old Alex Iafallo, who has already set career highs in goals and assists. The formerly undrafted forward is second on the team in points.

29. San Jose Sharks

Previous ranking: 28
Standings point pace: 74

So much has gone wrong with the Sharks' season that the player who leveled up isn't on the team anymore. Few would have thought it in the preseason, but Barclay Goodrow returned a first-round pick at the trade deadline.

30. Ottawa Senators

Previous ranking: 29
Standings point pace: 72

Connor Brown might not have been the biggest name involved in the deal with the Maple Leafs last summer, but since coming to the Senators, the 26-year-old -- with a career-high 52 points already -- has stepped up.

31. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 31
Standings point pace: 45

Robby Fabbri was stuck in purgatory in St. Louis. He got a fresh opportunity with a November trade to Detroit. The pending restricted free agent has made the case to stick around as GM Steve Yzerman continues his build.

Due to growing concerns over the spreading coronavirus, the NBA season has been put on hold, President Donald Trump has placed U.S. travel restrictions from Europe, some sporting events will be contested without fans and many other events have been canceled. But as of midnight Thursday, the first round of The Players will continue as scheduled.

The PGA Tour released a statement just after midnight Thursday saying, in part, “The PGA Tour is aware of rapidly changing developments regarding COVID-19. With the information currently available, The Players Championship will continue as scheduled.”

The Tour plans to give another update before noon on Thursday, but “in the meantime, players in the field have been notified to be prepared to play Round 1, as scheduled.”

The first tee time is set for 7:40 a.m. ET, and fans who no longer wish to attend due to coronavirus concerns can request a refund.

Real Madrid's players are in quarantine and all activity at their training ground has been suspended after one of the club's basketball players tested positive for coronavirus.

The team had been due to train at Valdebebas on Thursday morning ahead of their league game with Eibar at the Bernabeu on Friday -- which has now been officially postponed after La Liga put all matches on hold for at least two weeks.

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UEFA are yet to comment on whether Real Madrid's Champions League round-of-16 second leg with Manchester City -- due to be played in Manchester next Thursday -- will go ahead.

However with Real Madrid's players in quarantine and their training ground closed, the club's position is that there is no way the game can go ahead as planned.

Footballers and basketball players share common areas at the Real Madrid City training complex on the outskirts of Madrid.

The identity of the basketball player has not been revealed.

"Real Madrid confirms that a player from our basketball first team has tested positive after tests carried out for coronavirus COVID-19" the club said in a statement. "From this moment, the recommendation has been followed to keep both the basketball first team and the football first team in quarantine, given that the two squads share facilities at Real Madrid City.

The statement continued: "At the same time, it has been decided to close the facilities at our training complex and it is recommended that all Real Madrid personnel who work at Real Madrid City should remain in quarantine."

Sources have told ESPN that Real Madrid took the decision following the recommendations of the Spanish Ministry of Health, and activity at Valdebebas will cease for a minimum of 15 days.

The club have also advised family members and partners of first team staff to return home to reduce the risk of further infection.

Three unnamed Leicester City players are in self-isolation after showing symptoms for the coronavirus, manager Brendan Rodgers has said.

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"We've had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs [of coronavirus]," Rodgers said in a news conference on Thursday. "We've followed procedures and [as a precaution] they have been kept away from the squad.

"We have a fantastic medical team here at the club that gives guidance to the players and staff and everyone. It's been made pretty clear about what we should look out for."

The Premier League's next round of fixtures -- scheduled for this weekend -- are due to go ahead as planned.

The world of football has been heavily affected by the growing coronavirus outbreak. La Liga announced on Thursday that the first and second divisions have been suspended for the next two matchdays following the coronavirus outbreak.

The decision came after Real Madrid were placed into quarantine and all activity at their training complex was cancelled after one of the club's basketball players tested positive.

Meanwhile, Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for the coronavirus, the Italian club announced on Wednesday, and is the most prominent professional footballer to test positive for the virus. German side Hannover also that defender Timo Hubers has tested positive.

La Liga announced on Thursday that the first and second divisions have been suspended for the next two matchdays because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The decision comes after Real Madrid were placed into quarantine and all activity at their training complex was cancelled after one of the club's basketball players tested positive.

A statement released by La Liga read: "Given the circumstances that are coming to light this morning, referring to the quarantine established in Real Madrid and the possible cases in players from other clubs, La Liga considers it appropriate to continue to the next phase of the protocol of action against COVID-19. As a result, in accordance with the measures established in Royal Decree 664/1997 of May 12, [La Liga] agrees to postpone at least the next two match days."

Amid reports the Champions League and Europa League would be suspended, UEFA released a statement on Thursday saying there will be a meeting via video next Tuesday to discuss plans for football for the rest of the season, as well as Euro 2020, due to kick off on June 12.

A statement read: "In the light of the ongoing developments in the spread of COVID-19 across Europe and the changing analysis of the World Health Organisation, UEFA has today invited representatives of its 55 member associations, together with the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPro, to attend meetings by video conference on Tuesday March 17 to discuss European football's response to the outbreak.

"Discussions will include all domestic and European competitions, including UEFA EURO 2020."

The Spanish league had already taken the step of moving all games behind closed doors, but with confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country topping 2,000 on Wednesday, it decided to suspend play.

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Sources had told ESPN on Wednesday that talks were underway over suspending the league.

La Liga sources, following advice from the Ministry of Health, had previously insisted that games would go ahead without supporters, before the move was announced to suspend matches.

Sevilla's Europa League game against Roma, scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed, while Barcelona's Champions League game against Napoli next week is in the balance. The Catalan club have already announced the fixture will be played behind closed doors, but it's not certain the Serie A side will be allowed to travel for the match.

All football in Italy has been suspended until April 3.

Spain and Italy are not the only countries where football has been affected by the coronavirus. Games have also been suspended or will be played behind closed doors this week in England, France, Germany, Greece, Austria and Switzerland, among others.

Elsewhere, Juventus defender Daniele Rugani tested positive for the coronavirus, the club announced Wednesday.

Rugani is the most prominent professional footballer to test positive for the virus. German club Hannover also announced Wednesday that defender Timo Hubers tested positive.

Defending Serie A champions Juventus said Rugani and "those who have had contact with him'' are being isolated.

Ajinkya Rahane feels that India's issues against the short ball are being spoken about "too much", adding that their 2-0 Test series defeat in New Zealand came about mainly due to their opposition's skilful use of home conditions.

New Zealand's bowlers have used the short ball liberally in recent years, especially at home, and it was the weapon of choice for Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner in particular in the series against India. After India's loss in the first Test in Wellington, their captain Virat Kohli had put their issues against the short ball down to an unusually two-paced pitch, but the pitch for the second Test in Christchurch was truer in terms of pace, even if it offered plenty of seam movement.

Rahane came under scrutiny for his lack of control against the short ball during India's second innings in Christchurch, getting dropped in the deep off an airborne pull shot, taking a blow to the helmet, and then dragging a Wagner short ball, which came on slower than expected, onto the stumps. He made 9 off 43 balls in that innings, an unsatisfactory end to a tour that had begun fairly promisingly for him in Wellington, where he had looked the most assured of India's middle-order batsmen.

"People are speaking too much about it (short balls)," Rahane said, speaking to mediapersons in Mumbai. "If you see Melbourne innings [in the third Test against Australia in 2018], we have dominated. We all play short balls well, one game doesn't make you bad players of short ball.

"They [New Zealand bowlers] used the breeze factor very well because in New Zealand it was biggest factor, cutting the angle and pace."

India's batsmen managed just four individual fifties and a highest team total of 242 in the Test series, and were bundled out for under 200 on the other three occasions. Rahane, who scored 91 runs in the series at 22,75, said he wasn't "worried" about India's position going forward in the World Test Championship.

Having earned the maximum possible 360 points from their first three series, India suffered their first Test Championship defeats on their New Zealand tour. India remain No. 1 on the table, and are still favourites to feature in next year's final at Lord's.

"I am not too much worried about that and I am not going too much deep into that," Rahane said. "Test Championship is all about one match and one series at a time, one match at a time because points are involved. One bad game or two bad games will not make us a bad team.

"We have really done a good job in the last three-four years. Now Test Championship has started. In this journey, you are going to win and lose some matches."

Persistent rain has seen the first ODI between India and South Africa in Dharamsala washed out, without even a coin toss, in identical fashion to the first T20I between these two sides at the same venue last September. South Africa have returned six months after that tour, where they drew the T20I series 1-all and were swept 0-3 in the Tests, and have brought with them a whole new structure. But they will have to wait until Sunday to get on the park and show whether anything has changed.

The opening match was scheduled to start at 1.30pm local time and there were signs it could take place when the covers were taken off just after 2pm, but it was only a brief respite from the rain. It returned for the rest of the afternoon and after a total of 3 hours and 50 minutes of waiting, the match was abandoned, reducing this to a two-match series.

A sparse crowd was present at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium but there is increasing speculation that the remaining fixtures will be played behind closed doors as preventative measures against COVID-19 heighten. The teams have already agreed not to shake hands and avoid direct contact with fans, with the Indian team advised not to take selfies. Should supporters be told to stay away from the remainder of the series, it will affect those in Kolkata and Lucknow, the venues for the final two games.

However, Interest in the series is still likely to remain high with Hardik Pandya, Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar all three back for India after injury layoffs and an experimental South African side visiting. This is both team's final assignment before an international break for the IPL, the fate of which will be decided at a governing council meeting on Saturday. Several of South Africa's squad including Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and Lungi Ngidi are due to play in the IPL and will likely remain in India after the final ODI on March 18 to begin the tournament on March 29.

It is now a strong possibility that IPL 2020 will take place behind closed doors, in light of the coronavirus threat, with the Indian government indicating it will not stop sporting events from taking place as long as they adhere strictly to health-ministry guidelines discouraging mass gatherings.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) a pandemic.

The announcement was made on Thursday by Kiren Rijiju, India's Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports. It remains to be seen how this development will affect the remaining matches of the ODI series between India and South Africa, which began on Thursday in Dharamsala. The second ODI is scheduled to be played in Lucknow on March 15, and the third ODI in Kolkata on March 18.

On March 5, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare put out an advisory on mass gatherings, which said: "Experts across the World have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus disease. In view of above, it is advised that mass gatherings may be avoided or possibly be postponed till the disease spread is contained.

"In case any such mass gatherings are organized, States may take necessary action guide the Organisers on precautions to be taken as per the risk communication material already sent so as to avoid any Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases and Influenz Illness (ILs) including Covid-19."

Rijiju said the guidelines on mass gatherings had been overseen by a group of ministers formed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"All international events in India have been cancelled," Rijiju told reporters outside Parliament. "But we are telling sports federations, we are telling all to comply with the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry and formulated by a group of ministers which is constituted by the Prime Minister. So any sports body in India should ensure [the guidelines are followed]."

Asked specifically about the IPL, which is scheduled to start on March 29, Rijiju indicated that fans are likely not to be allowed at the grounds. "We are not stopping the game," he said. "We are just telling to ensure that there is no mass gathering. Precautionary step is very important for the health of the country."

Considering that IPL matches are usually attended by several thousand fans across all venues, Rijiju said the organisers would need to ensure that safety of the "people" is not put at risk. "That is the guideline," Rijiju said. "Health of the nation is more important than anything. If matches happen the organisers would need to put in place all infrastructure including screening machines. You cannot hold a match without that.

"We are not saying anything to stop the match. We are just saying: even if they go ahead with the match, ensure that guidelines are followed. People's health cannot be put into danger."

Shortly after Rijiju's comments, the sports ministry also issued an advisory on Thursday to various national sports federations, the Indian Olympics Association as well as to the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah.

"To deal with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued advisories and advised the state governments to take appropriate action under the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897," the sports ministry's advisory said.

"You are advised to adhere to advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and ensure that no public gathering takes place in any sporting event. In the event, the sporting event cannot be avoided, the same could be done without allowing gathering of the people, including spectators."

The ministry also attached to the advisory the decisions taken by the Group of Ministers late Wednesday evening on the clampdown of several types of visas issued to travel to India. "All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till April 15, 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13, 2020, at the port of departure," the government statement said.

ESPNcricinfo understands, however, that those connected with the IPL would come under employment or project visas, which is likely to leave the tournament unaffected as things stand.

The IPL Governing Council is scheduled to meet on March 14 to discuss the fate of the tournament, which was to feature several overseas players arriving from and through different parts of the globe that have been affected by the pandemic.

As per the figures released by the WHO, 118 countries have been affected by COVID-19, classified as a respiratory illness. More than 120,000 people have been infected with over 4,300 deaths worldwide. In India so far, 73 people have been infected with no deaths as yet.

On Wednesday, the BCCI issued its first statement on how it was dealing with the pandemic ahead of the India-South Africa ODI series. Along with following the prescribed dos and don'ts on personal hygiene, the BCCI had asked the India players to be mindful during their interactions with fans, including not shaking hands or using third-party gadgets for selfies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has already forced the cancellation and postponement of sporting events across the globe with a few of them in India. The first major tournament to be postponed was the 3x3 basketball Olympic qualifiers, which was scheduled to be held in Bengaluru from March 18 to 22.

The Indian Open golf tournament, scheduled to be held in Gurugram from March 19 to 22, has been postponed, with the organisers promising to reschedule the event at "some point" later this year. The Shooting World Cup, in Delhi from March 15 to 26, has also been postponed, as has India's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Bhubaneswar on March 26. The India Open badminton tournament is going ahead as of now - in Delhi from March 24 to 29 - but without spectators.

England 354 for 3 (Crawley 105, Root 90*, Pope 84*) vs Sri Lanka Board President's XI

Zak Crawley breezed his way to a fourth first-class hundred, before Joe Root and Ollie Pope finished the day in sight of their own tons as England started their four-day warm-up in brisk and impressive fashion.

While the batting had also been good in the first three-day practice game, these runs came against an arguably better attack, featuring the in-form seam-bowling of Asitha Fernando, as well as the capable left-arm spin of Prabath Jayasuriya. The surface at the P Sara - generally the bounciest pitch on the island - had a covering of grass, and a bit of moisture in it in the morning.

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Crawley and opening partner Dom Sibley negotiated the movement off the surface early on, during the course of their 103-run stand. The pitch would dry out to play much flatter during the afternoon and evening sessions, though not to the extent that it began taking substantial turn.

Crawley hit 11 fours in his innings, racing to 50 off 47 balls, before slowing down a touch, getting to his 100 off the 133rd delivery he faced. He made runs all around the ground, striking up a 72-run stand with Joe Denly after Sibley was caught at leg slip off the offspin of Ramesh Mendis for 37. Crawley would eventually be bowled for 105. He had struck at 72, and set the tone for what would turn out to be a relatively quick-scoring day.

"Zak got his chance because of Rory Burns' injury but every day he just goes out there and continues to impress," England assistant coach Graham Thorpe said of Crawley. "Character is a lot at this level, and he has a willingness to learn quickly.

"He's nowhere near the finished article - look, he's 22 years old - but we're really excited about him as a player after the last three or four months around him. We hope his curve can continue to go up."

Crawley's wicket, which came in the 51st over, was the last one to fall in the day. Pope, who had been promoted ahead of Ben Stokes in a move that suggests they will use him at No. 5 in the Tests as well, dovetailed nicely with Root as the pair put on an unbeaten 175 partnership. On a pitch that had now lost zip, and was offering little to the spinners, the pair were rarely troubled, as they each progressed at a strike rate of 70 or higher.

Root, typically, was aggressive against the spinners, using his feet liberally, and using both the sweep and the reverse to good effect. He finished on 90 off 122, hitting eight boundaries. Pope was not shy of advancing down the track either, and made 84 not out off 120 balls.

"We encourage the batsmen to be positive in their thoughts and their movements," Thorpe said. "That way you also defend better as well. We encourage them to understand what their aggressive options are, when they feel the need to go to the next gear in a match. We want to try to be in the same sort of situations we were against South Africa. We want to score big first-innings runs because that gets us in a better position to win a Test match."

Although, for now, preparations for the Test series are continuing as usual, there has been a little doubt cast over whether the series can be played in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sri Lanka currently has two confirmed COVID-19 patients, but the bigger fear may be the tightening or closing of borders, which may leave tourists - including the England team - with difficulties getting home.

Karachi Kings won the toss and chose to bowl vs Lahore Qalandars

Karachi Kings captain Imad Wasim chose to chase after winning the toss as the PSL group stage heads towards its conclusion.

His side will look to strengthen their qualification hops with a win today, which would see them leapfrog a resurgent Lahore Qalandars, who have won four of their past five matches. The game comes four days on from the reverse fixture in Lahore, which saw a Ben Dunk 99* power Sohail Akhtar's side to victory.

Lahore Qalandars will seal qualification for the first time with a win today. To that end, they make one change to the team, with Maaz Khan dropping out and Faizan Khan returning.

Lahore may be on a three-match win streak, but they won the toss and bowled first in all those fixtures. Karachi have made a number of changes, most notably Cameron Delport dropping out of the side, while Usama Mir gets his first game and fast bowler Arshad Iqbal returns to the side.

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Chris Lynn, Mohammad Hafeez, Ben Dunk (wk), Sohail Akhtar (capt), Faizan Khan, David Wiese, Samit Patel, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Dilbar Hussain

Karachi Kings: Babar Azam, Alex Hales, Sharjeel Khan, Chadwick Walton (wk), Imad Wasim (capt), Iftikhar Ahmed, Chris Jordan, Mohammad Amir, Umaid Asif, Arshad Iqbal, Usama Mir