We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
Going by the overall record, the Bready Cricket Club in Northern Ireland has all the ingredients for an exciting game. The pitch provides as much to the bowlers as it does to the batters.
Teams
Probable XI for Australia: Meg Lanning (c), Alyssa Healy (wk), Tahlia McGrath, Rachael Haynes, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Nicola Carey, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Grace Harris, Megan Schutt
Probable XI for Pakistan: Muneeba Ali (wk), Iram Javed, Omaima Sohail, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Nida Dar, Bismah Maroof (c), Kainat Imtiaz, Tuba Hassan, Diana Baig, Anam Amin
Power Players
Tahlia McGrath has transformed into a terrific all-rounder from a bowler. In her only three innings in T20Is, she has scores of 42*, 44*, and 91* – the last knock came against England earlier this year. In addition to her spectacular batting, she is reputed for taking wickets at the death.
Bismah Maroof, the highest run-scorer for Pakistan in the format, was in top-notch form in the white-ball series at home against Sri Lanka. She has four scores above 25 runs in 8 innings against Australia.
Alyssa Healy’s form in the format since the 2020 World T20 has been concerning: she has 8 single-digit scores in the last 9 innings. However, her numbers against Pakistan are encouraging for the fantasy players: in 10 games, she has blasted 262 runs at an average of 52.
Nida Dar is a veteran of 105 T20I wickets – the only Pakistani to pick wickets in three figures. She, however, also significantly contributes with the bat. She has the highest score of 75, against South Africa in 2019.
Smart Picks
Meg Lanning, at No.2, is the highest-ranked Australian in ICC T20I Rankings for batters. Against Pakistan, she has managed 227 runs at 37.
In her 10-T20 career, Ayesha Naseem has already collected 175 runs at 29. To add fuel to the fire, these runs came at a spectacular strike rate of 132 – most of which was achieved at the death.
Megan Schutt will fancy bowling in the powerplay in the Irish conditions. She has three two-fors in 7 games against Pakistan. The opposition openers will have to be mindful of her tight lines and lengths.
Australia play Ashleigh Gardner from Nos. 3 to 5, whenever they need to accelerate the run rate. Her 815 runs have come at an impressive strike rate of 129. If the conditions assist the spinners, she rolls her off-breaks and provides timely breakthroughs. She has 27 wickets in 51 T20Is to her name.
Tuba Hassan bagged the bulk of the wickets in the Sri Lanka T20Is. Her leg-breaks fetched her 5 wickets at an average of 9. She, moreover, is a good batter. In the Emerging Teams Cup, she scored 21 and 32 as an opener.
Talking about leg-spinners, Alana King has been Australia’s first choice. In the My11Circle Women’s T20 Challenge, she took 5 wickets in 3 games.
Also Read:
India vs England, 3rd ODI Fantasy Cricket Tips
Match Preview
Australia, the No.1 ranked team, have won all 10 T20Is against Pakistan. Since the 2020 World Cup triumph, they have won 5 of 7 games. Pakistan, on the other hand, defeated a rebuilding Sri Lanka 3-0 at home. To put things into perspective, Pakistan will have to punch well above their weight to upset the World Champions.
Time: July 16, 8:30 PM IST