- Fazalhaq Farooqi took 17 wickets in the T20 World Cup this year
- Both of these sides finished on nine points in The Hundred last season
- Recommended bet: Fazalhaq Farooqi Top Wicket Taker - Manchester Originals

Often the bridesmaid but never the bride, Manchester Originals had to settle for runners-up in The Hundred in both 2022 and 2023 and will be eager to go a step further this season.

The Originals have made a handful of changes to their roster in an attempt to go the distance this time but they will face fierce competition for the eliminator spots with Welsh Fire among those expected to be in contention.

Fire were one of the most improved teams in The Hundred last year, finishing fourth, level on points with second-placed Manchester Originals but missing out on a knockout berth due to their inferior net-run-rate.

And the clash between these sides at Old Trafford on Thursday could be a tough one to call.

Team news

Fazalhaq Farooqi is set to make his debut in The Hundred for Manchester Originals, while Phil Salt will lead their charge with the bat.

Jonny Bairstow will likely open for Welsh Fire, who can also call on the likes of Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Joe Clarke and Glenn Phillips in the batting department.

The stats

Manchester Originals and Welsh Fire both finished on nine points in The Hundred last year but the Originals secured second spot due to their superior net run rate.

Fazalhaq Farooqi took 17 wickets for Afghanistan during this year's T20 World Cup.

Originals pair Jos Buttler and Phil Salt scored 391 runs and 232 runs respectively in last year's edition of The Hundred to finish first and fourth respectively in the run-scorer standings.

Stevie Eskinazi was the leading run-scorer for the Welsh Fire in 2023 with 208 runs to rank eighth, while Joe Clarke was 13th with 183.

Prediction

There are undoubtedly reasons to get behind Manchester Originals this season.

They were finalists in each of the last two editions of The Hundred and have made some smart acquisitions in Sikandar Riza, Josh Hull and Fazalhaq Farooqi ahead of the new campaign.

But given these sides finished level on nine points last term and this is a new season, the match result markets could be worth swerving.

Instead, a player bet could be the way to go and Farooqi could be the standout bowler for the Originals.

The left-arm fast bowler was key for Afghanistan in the recent T20 World Cup, helping his country reach the semi-finals with 17 wickets.

This will be his first ever Hundred campaign but he looks ready to cause a stir and he can draw confidence from the fact Old Trafford is one of the more bowler-friendly venues in the tournament.

Back Fazalhaq Farooqi to be top Manchester Originals bowler at 10/3 with LiveScore Bet.