Fantasy: Have as many Pakistan players as possible

Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in the sixth encounter of the T20 tri-series, also involving New Zealand, at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday (October 12). Bangladesh have lost all their three matches so far, meaning Pakistan will come face to face against New Zealand in the final. The Men in Green started the series with back-to-back wins but were hammered by the hosts in their last game and would be eager to return back to the winning ways.

Ground details

The Hagley Oval in Christchurch is hosting this entire series and the batters here have scored runs at an average of 27.6 and a strike rate of 131.5, while a wicket has fallen every 21 deliveries in these five games so far. The fast bowlers here have better numbers, with them operating at an average of 25.5 and a strike rate of 19.2 in this series. Meanwhile, the corresponding numbers for spinners are 29.7 and 24.4 respectively.  

Suggested team

While you could go for the above team, you can also choose your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.

Captaincy suggestions

For small leagues: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam (vc)

For grand leagues: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Shadab Khan (vc)

Stats that matter

Mohammad Rizwan has only managed 20 runs in the last two encounters but still averages 55.23 in 16 T20Is this year. The wicketkeeper-batter has 718 runs at a strike rate of 127.1 and has eight fifties to his name. 

Pakistan captain Babar Azam hasn't really been as consistent as he would have liked but still has 541 runs in 17 innings at an average of 38.64 in 2022. The right-hander has scores of 22, 79* and 21 in this series. That's what they say, if Rizwan doesn't get you, Babar will.

With 21 wickets in 15 T20Is, no other Pakistan bowler has picked up more wickets than Haris Rauf in 2022.

Litton Das has constantly been getting starts in T20Is this year but is yet to get that big score. In six of his last nine T20I innings, the right-hander has crossed the 20-run mark but only has one fifty to his name.

Grand League punts

Shadab Khan has started batting at No. 4 for Pakistan. The right-hander got out for just 8 in the last encounter but had slammed 34 off 22 in the previous game. In 2022, Shadab has 517 runs in 26 T20 innings at a strike rate of 148.1. On top of that, the legspinner has also claimed 42 wickets a strike rate of 17.2.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan slammed 70 off 44 deliveries against New Zealand on Wednesday and is the only Bangladesh batter to cross the 50-run mark in this series. He is someone who could fetch you points in all facets of the game.

Probable XIs

Pakistan - Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.

Bangladesh - Najmul Hossain Shanto, Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Ebadot Hossain.