FANTASY PREVIEW
Follow UsIt was spin all over as Bangladesh strangled a second-string New Zealand side right from the outset in the first two T20Is to secure a 2-0 lead. Tom Latham played a solid knock of 65 not out but he never had the support from the other end to wrest the momentum back in their favour. With the spinners firing on all cylinders, Bangladesh will come into the third encounter with the aim to secure an unassailable series lead.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall 12 | Bangladesh 2 Wins | New Zealand 10 Wins
Last Five Matches | Bangladesh 2 Wins | New Zealand 3 Wins
Ground Details
Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur is not an ideal place for pacers as any Bangladesh stadiums are, with spinners accounting for a massive 57.4 % wickets, having bowled a staggering 53.7 % of overs. While spinners are a little bit economical, having given away 6.8 runs per over at the venue as compared to pacers’ 7.8, the average is pretty much the same - in fact, pacers have a slightly better average. In T20Is since 2018, pacers have had a slight bit of advantage but if the ongoing series are anything to go by, spinners will have a feast waiting for them.
Suggested Team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Based on your preferences, the platform will guide you to create the ideal fantasy XI.
Captain Suggestion
Finn Allen has recovered from Covid-19 and is all set to be a part of the 3rd T20I in Dhaka. His inclusion is a massive boost to the New Zealand side who lack a proper T20 hitter in the batting order. With an average of 34.76 and a strike rate of 173.1, Allen knows a thing or two about pacing his innings and simultaneously scoring big. 2021 has been his best year so far as a batter, with Allen averaging 36.67 with 10 fifty-plus scores already.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Allen to score 26-38 runs
X-Factor
After retiring from the Tests, Bangladesh T20 skipper Mahmudullah is in pretty good form, scoring at an average of 28.35 and at a strike rate of 122.1 since January 2020. In the given timeframe, he has four fifty-plus scores and that tells us why he can have a massive contribution in the 3rd T20I after being the primary force in the 2nd game on Friday.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Mahmudullah to score 16-24 runs
In the first encounter, Shakib showed why he is still not a spent force in the format and while he can be a massive factor with the ball, there is every chance he can take the attack on the oppositoon with the bat as well, ensuring a 3-0 win for Bangladesh.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Shakib to score 15-23 runs and pick 2-3 wickets
Here are the top-10 picks as per Criclytics projected points –
Probable XIs:
Bangladesh: Liton Das, Mohammad Naim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah (c), Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin Nasum Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman.
New Zealand: Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, Tom Latham (c and wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Cole McConchie, Doug Bracewell, Ajaz Patel, Ben Sears, Hamish Bennett