We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
Toss hasn’t been a differentiating factor for the last two T20Is at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. The average first and second innings scores read 151 and 150 respectively.
Teams
Probable XI for West Indies: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Nicholas Pooran (c & wk), Shamarh Brooks, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Keemo Paul, Obed McCoy, Hayden Walsh
Probable XI for Bangladesh: Litton Das (wk), Munim Shariar/Anamul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmadullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman/Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed
Power Players
For his dual and match-winning abilities, Shakib Al Hasan is an ideal choice as a captain in fantasy leagues. Although Bangladesh lost the second game, he kept the fantasy players in hunt by scoring 68* and picking a wicket.
Rovman Powell walked away with the Player of the Match award for blasting 61 off only 28 balls in the previous game. He has added 191 runs, including three unbeaten knocks in his last five T20Is.
Nicholas Pooran generated handy fantasy points by pouching two catches behind the stumps and scoring 34 with the bat. He also slammed 62* against Pakistan in his previous visit to the Providence Stadium.
Smart Picks
In 23 T20Is, Brandon King has hit only three half-centuries, including the one in the last match. He may be inconsistent at times but has the ability to score quick runs in the powerplay.
Romario Shepherd and Obed McCoy bagged two wickets each in the second T20I. They also picked four wickets between them in the rain-marred game. Interestingly, both seamers are equally capable of bowling with the new and old ball.
Although Afif Hossain’s brisk 34 in the last match went in vain, he has been bailing Bangladesh out of tricky positions lately, especially in white-ball cricket.
Like most West Indian cricketers, Odean Smith also has the ability to generate fantasy points with both bat and ball. Aside from depositing balls into the stands, he also possesses a golden arm, although he may give away runs at an unreasonable rate.
Like Smith, Bangladesh’s Mosaddek Hossain too has the uncanny ability to break partnerships and make meaningful contributions with the bat lower down the order.
Although Shoriful Islam leaked runs, he managed to pick 2 wickets in the last match. He has 5 scalps to his credit in his last three T20Is.
Form Concern
Litton Das has scored only one half-century in his last 20 T20Is. That said, if Bangladesh are to compete better in Guyana, he will have to contribute significantly.
Match Preview
After winning the second T20I in convincing fashion, West Indies will be confident of wrapping up the series. If Bangladesh are to stage a comeback, their seamers will have to keep the aggressive batters under control. That said, current form and momentum strongly favours the hosts.
Time: 7 July, 11.00 PM IST