We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Probable XIs
Afghanistan: Darwish Rasooli, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Ireland: Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little
Pitch Report
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground
Matches played this edition: 2
1st innings average score: 158
2nd innings average score: 152
Wickets per innings: 7
Type: Bounce and swing on offer. Bigger boundaries.
Weather: Showers forecast.
Wins
Batting 1st: 50%
Batting 2nd: 50%
Also Read:
India vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2022 Fantasy Tips
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, T20 World Cup 2022: Fantasy Tips
Fantasy Tip of The Day
Afghanistan boast of economical spinners and hard-hitting openers.
On the other hand, Ireland’s Top three batters have been providing the bulk of the fantasy points, while pacers have been effective in these conditions.
Smart Picks
In the T20Is between these teams, Paul Stirling (614 runs) and Rashid Khan (37 wickets) are the highest run-scorer and highest wicket-taker respectively. While Stirling blows hot and cold, Rashid is often a safe pick for bowling economical spells and taking wickets at crucial intervals.
Joshua Little’s Ultimate Team percentage in this edition is 60. He has taken 6 wickets and provided bonus points for economy in 2 of 5 games. Against Afghanistan, his 13 wickets are the most for Ireland.
Andy Balbirnie put up crucial performances in wins against West Indies (29 points) and England (41.5 points), laying strong foundations at the top. Coincidentally, his fifty against England came at the very venue, where he showed great resilience against quality bowlers.
In the powerplay, the in-form Irish openers will face the discipline of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who has taken 18 wickets in a mere 12 games against them. Much like Rashid, his economy generates extra points.
Lorcan Tucker has been busy with the bat as well as the gloves, generating points one way or the other. He has got starts in all the games – two of which were converted into crisp thirties.
George Dockrell’s all-round skills entice the fantasy players to pick him. Against Afghanistan, he averages 51 with the bat and has taken 10 wickets. In the tournament, he has the highest scores of 24 and 39 and took the solitary wicket of the dangerous Harry Brook.
Gareth Delany leg-breaks have been challenging to pick, and given the boundaries at the MCG are difficult to clear, he will play a key role. Plus, he is handy with the bat down the order. He scored 24 off 20 against Zimbabwe earlier in the tournament.
