We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
Historically, the pitch at the Southern Cricket Stadium assists the pacers. However, the scorching heat in Karachi has dried up the wicket. As the series progresses, the spinners will have a good time trapping the batters in their web.
Teams
Probable XI for Pakistan: Muneeba Ali, Bismah Maroof (c), Aliza Riaz, Iram Javed, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Gull Feroza (wk), Ayesha Naseem, Fatima Sana, Diana Baig, Anam Amin
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Imesha Dulani, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Madavi, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Ama Kanchana, Kavisha Dilhari, Sachini Nisansala, Inoka Ranaweera, Udeshika Prabodhani
Power Players
Bismah Maroof likes hunting down the Sri Lankan bowlers. She has scored 442 runs at an average of 55 in 13 games, and four of her nine fifties have come against them.
With 1,867 runs in 89 T20Is, Chamari Athapaththu is the highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka. She is also the only batter for her country to score a hundred in the format. Her last five scores read 30, 86, 57, 30, and 48.
Smart Picks
Nida Dar is the only Pakistani bowler to have taken over 100 wickets in the format – and all this at an impressive economy of 5.3. With the bat, she has managed 1,207 runs including four fifties. Her dual skills make her a popular pick in fantasy cricket.
Udeshika Prabodhani strikes with both new and old ball. For that matter, she is often used as a strike bowler, also firing an over or two in the middle overs. She has taken 51 wickets at an average of 24.
Aliya Riaz takes centre stage in the middle overs with both bat and ball. She has a knack for keeping the scorecard ticking, also sniping up wickets with her medium pace.
Nilakshi de Silva has been in good form of late. Her last five competitive scores read 46*, 26, 23*, 48*, and 28.
The onus of laying a strong foundation is on the talented Muneeba Ali. In the only two matches she played in the World Cup, she scored 37 and 29.
In the Commonwealth Games Qualifiers, Harshitha Madavi got starts in all four games, overall scoring 107 runs with a strike rate of 130.
Recent Form
Pakistan: L, W, L, L, L
Sri Lanka: W, W, W, W, W
Match Preview
The head-to-head between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is tied at 6-6. Although Pakistan’s recent form is not encouraging, they boast of a balanced team. There’s no margin for error for the visiting team.
Time: May 24, 2:30 PM IST