We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
First innings average score: 164
Second innings average: 160
Type: Initial help for the seamers. Encourages stroke play later.
Time: September 11, 7.30 PM IST
Teams
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka
Probable XI for Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah
Form Concerns
It has been a forgettable Asia Cup for Babar Azam. After having managed only 63 runs in 5 innings, he would be keen to finish off on a high by going big in the finals.
Struggles with the bat seem to be mounting on Danushka Gunathilaka. Barring his 33 against Afghanistan, his scores read 17, 11, 1, and 0.
Game Changers
Throughout the Asia Cup, fantasy players have enormously benefited by the all-round brilliance of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz. They have bagged 15 wickets between them. With the bat too, both have played one match-defining innings each. While Shadab got a 26-ball 36 against Afghanistan, Nawaz blasted a 20-ball 42 against India.
Smart Picks
Hit out or get out. Bhanuka Rajapaksa has provided the impetus to Sri Lanka’s innings in the middle order. Excluding the Bangladesh match, he has collected 118 runs in 4 innings, including the highest score of 38.
If not with the bat, Chamika Karunaratne has been regularly helping fantasy players with the ball. Besides adding 40 runs, he has picked 5 wickets. He is also one of Sri Lanka’s safest catchers in the deep.
Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf have the tendency to leak runs. At the same time, though, they have also provided Pakistan with early breakthroughs. They have bagged 11 wickets between them.
Power Players
Wanindu Hasaranga will remain a big threat for Pakistan. He has taken 11 wickets against them in 4 T20Is, including 3 for 21 in the league stages.
Mohammad Rizwan might have been dismissed for scores of 20 and 14 in his last two games, but one cannot overlook the fact that he has amassed 492 runs at 55 in his last 10 T20Is.
After a quiet start to the tournament, Pathum Nissanka’s bold approach at the top has seen him register scores of 32, 52, and 55*.
Amidst two single-digit scores, Kusal Mendis has also slammed 2 half-centuries and a 36 in this Asia Cup. With the gloves, he has pouched 3 catches.
Fantasy Tip of The Day
Both teams have quality all-rounders who have been regularly providing handy fantasy points. It is tough to see the pattern change, given the combination of both sides.
