We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report for India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup Match
(Based on the last 3 games)
1st innings average score: 145
2nd innings average score: 148
Type: Good batting wicket. Bigger boundaries.
Probable Playing XI for India & Pakistan
Probable XI for India: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh/Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal/Ravichandran Ashwin
Probable XI for Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Form Concerns
Haider Ali has managed only 52 runs, including three-single digit scores in his last 5 T20Is.
Asif Ali’s extended rough patch will also bother Pakistan. 68 runs in his last 10 T20Is is a testimony to his recent struggles.
Game Changers
When these two teams met in the T20 World Cup in 2021, Shaheen Afridi ripped through the Indian openers. He finished with figures of 4-0-31-3. He has the ability to change the complexion of the game in the first few overs.
Besides collecting 117 runs with the bat, Mohammad Nawaz picked 7 wickets in the recently concluded tri-series in New Zealand.
Smart Fantasy Picks
Since the Asia Cup, Haris Rauf has been Pakistan’s No.1 strike bowler. He has taken 22 wickets in this period, including the best figures of 3 for 28.
Rohit Sharma has added only 50 runs in his last 5 T20Is against Pakistan. However, his aggressive approach at the top helps generate crucial bonus points.
Mohammad Shami is back. He made an immediate impact in the warm-up match against Australia by bagging a three-for. He remains India’s best strike bowler, especially given the conditions in Australia.
Power Players
Virat Kohli’s last 5 T20Is scores against Pakistan read 60, 35, 57, 55*, and 49 in his last 5 T20Is. When he last batted in the format at the MCG, he slammed 59 off 33 balls.
Suryakumar Yadav’s purple patch will encourage fantasy players. He has hammered three fifties in his last 4 T20Is.
Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam collectively added 399 runs, including 4 half-centuries in the recently concluded tri-series in New Zealand. When they batted against India in the previous T20 World Cup, they stitched an opening partnership of 152.
Also Read:
India Squad Analysis for T20 World Cup
Pakistan Squad Analysis for T20 World Cup
Fantasy Tip of The Day
The last 5 T20Is at the MCG have been won by the team chasing. Barring the Pakistani openers, their batting has been dismal.