We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Probable XIs
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Agha Salman, Nauman Ali/Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (c), Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel
Pitch Report
Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
(Based on the last 3 games)
1st innings average score: 433
2nd innings average score: 371
3rd innings average score: 208
4th innings average score: 225
Wickets per innings: 7
Type: Great for batting.
Weather: Clear.
Wins
Batting 1st: —
Batting 2nd: 33%
Fantasy Tips of the Day
As many as 8 hundreds have been scored in the last three Tests. It is a batting wicket through and through.
A pacer has not taken more than three wickets in an innings in the last three Tests. All the four-fors and five-fors have belonged to the spinners.
Smart Picks
Babar Azam has featured in the Ultimate Team in his last five Tests, scoring four fifties and a hundred. At the venue, he has smashed 736 runs at an average of 82.
Tom Latham’s exceptional ability to play spin has fetched him a hundred in the UAE, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, and five fifties in India. Overall against Pakistan, he has scored three hundreds.
The same can be said for Kane Williamson. He scored his seventh double-hundred, the most by a New Zealander. Pakistan found it nearly impossible to dismiss him on the flat wicket of Karachi. Williamson’s average against them reads 55 compared to his overall average of 48.
Ish Sodhi was the vice-captain of the Ultimate Team for his all-round performance. He took 8 wickets in the match and scored a game-changing 65 in the first innings. The highlight of his show, however, was the big wicket of Babar Azam on the final day.
Had it not been for Sarfaraz Ahmed’s counterattacking fifties in both innings, Pakistan would have been in further trouble. His footwork and choice of shots against spin pushed New Zealand on the back foot.
In his last five First-Class games, Agha Salman has scored two hundreds and a fifty. Much like Sarfaraz, he likes to dominate spinners.
Both five-fors in the game belonged to wrist-spinners. While we already spoke of Sodhi, Abrar Ahmed showed great patience against the solid Kiwi batters. In his last three Tests, he has managed 23 wickets.
Devon Conway and Imam-ul-Haq looked as composed as ever. Although the wicket did not have any demons, the southpaws displayed resilience. Expect nothing less in the second Test.