We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Probable XIs
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Haider Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
Netherlands: Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Tom Cooper, Scott Edwards (c & wk), Tim Pringle, Logan van Beek, Shariz Ahmad, Fred Klaassen, Paul van Meekeren
Pitch Report
Venue: Perth Stadium
(Based on the last 3 games)
1st innings average score: 133
2nd innings average score: 137
Wickets per innings: 7
Type: Pace and bounce on offer.
Weather: Cloudy but heavy rain isn’t forecast.
Wins
Batting 1st: 33%
Batting 2nd: 67%
Fantasy Tips of the Day
– Although the wicket seems more favourable for seamers, the spinners have done a decent job. A finger and a wrist spinner have registered a three-wicket haul each.
– Wickets fall at regular intervals at Perth. There is no margin for error for batters.
Smart Picks
While the bulk of fantasy players have been making Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan captain or vice-captain in their teams, Shan Masood has been rising through the ranks. After his fifty against India, his selection percentage shot from 15% to 68%. If anything, his composure and approach is ideal for the Perth wicket.
On a pitch conducive for pacers, Shadab Khan was a part of the Ultimate Team in the previous game. The extra bounce in the wicket has been giving him an edge. Given the way the Netherlands struggled against the Indian spinners, Shadab is likely to be in the thick of things yet again.
All-rounders will play a crucial role, given the pitch has been spicy. Bas de Leede has taken three two-fors and a three-for, and has registered the top score of 30 since the Qualifiers. His 150 fantasy points are the most for the Netherlands.
Mohammad Nawaz has had a tough time, being a part of the last-over thrillers. However, he featured in the Ultimate Team in both games: 25.5 points with the ball against India and 14.5 points with the bat against Zimbabwe.
While Haris Rauf has been consistent for Pakistan in the format, the inclusion of Mohammad Wasim Jr reaped rewards. The duo not only bowled tight lines but also hurled attacking lengths when the batters tried to launch a counterattack.
If Fred Klaassen and Paul van Meekeren could keep the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on the back foot at the SCG, they are likely to give a tough time to the struggling Pakistan openers. Between them, they have taken 11 wickets in the tournament.