We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Probable XIs
Zimbabwe: Gary Ballance, Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine (c), Sean Williams, Wesley Madhevere, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (wk), Brad Evans, Luke Jongwe/Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava, Wellington Masakadza
Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Ross Adair, Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Stephen Doheny (wk), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Tyrone Kane, Fionn Hand, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Pitch Report
(Based on the last 3 games.)
First innings average score: 165
Second innings average score: 157
Wickets per innings: 6
Weather: Cloudy but no rain is forecast
Wins
Batting first: 67%
Batting second: 33%
Fantasy Tips of The Day
The Zimbabwean side has plenty of utility players capable of generating points with bat and ball. Picking them in your fantasy teams is likely to help you stay ahead in the race.
Wicketkeepers
While Clive Madande is likely to make his debut, Stephen Doheny has played only one T20I. However, Doheny (1,082 runs at 34) has better T20 numbers than Madande (182 runs at 15).
Batters
Ireland will be wary of Craig Ervine’s superior record against them. He has accumulated 292 runs at 49, including 3 fifties against the Irish.
The onus will be on Andrew Balbirnie to lay a decent foundation at the top for Ireland. He has a half-century and two scores in the thirties in his last 5 T20Is.
All-rounders
Ryan Burl has started 2023 in style by registering scores of 61* and 10* in the Nepal T20 League. Moreover, when he last batted in a T20I at Harare, he slammed 54 off 28 (2 fours and 6 sixes).
Like always, fantasy players will expect handy points from Sean Williams. In 4 T20Is against Ireland, he has collected 120 runs including the highest score of 58*, and taken 3 wickets.
Wesley Madhevere has enjoyed batting at Harare. In his previous 12 visits to the venue, he has piled on 369 runs at 34, including 4 half-centuries.
George Delany has been providing points with both bat and ball lately. Besides collecting 69 runs, he has taken 6 wickets in his last 5 T20Is.
Bowlers
Mark Adair loves playing against Zimbabwe. In only 6 T20Is against them, he has bagged 16 wickets, including 2 four-wicket hauls.
Although Tyrone Kane is still young in international cricket, he has already taken 9 wickets, including two three-fors in 5 T20Is.
Richard Ngarava is arguably the best death bowler for Zimbabwe. He took 14 wickets in 2022, including 9 in the T20 World Cup.