Fantasy Preview: Mustafizur’s success against right-handed batters recipe for success

Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will take on each other in a three-match T20I series, starting Saturday, at the Harare Sports Club, Harare. While Zimbabwe have a lot of confidence in their kitty after qualifying for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year, Bangladesh are looking at a fresh change in guard, with Nurul Hasan taking over the captaincy responsibilities. 

Shakib, Bangladesh's Test captain, is on personal leave while Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim are also being rested. Mushfiqur opted out of the West Indies tour to make the Hajj pilgrimage but will return for the ODI series that follows in Zimbabwe. Bangladesh will be without Tamim Iqbal following his retirement from T20s, but the experienced opening batter is due to captain the ODI squad.

Zimbabwe rebounded from two disastrous white-ball series at home to Afghanistan by clinching a spot at the T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe won all five matches in the qualifying tournament in Bulawayo, and aim to the use the upcoming visits of Bangladesh and India, who tour in August, as preparation for the World Cup later this year in Australia. 

Ground Details

A total of 32 T20I matches have been played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, with batters scoring at a run-rate of 7.7. An average of 23.8 tells you that it is a moderately-helpful venue for both batters and bowlers, hence your picks should be divided accordingly. A staggering 64.4 % of the wickets have been taken by pacers but the average and economy rate are almost equal for both pacers and spinners. 

Average first innings scores at the venue is 157 runs in all T20I matches played here so far, but a target as low as 118 was defended once as well. Hence, batting first has its advantage here for what it’s worth.

Suggested team

While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing 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 and vice-captain suggestions

For Small Leagues : Sean Williams (C ), Shoriful Islam ( VC)

For Grand Leagues: Mustafizur Rahman ( C ), Sean Williams ( VC) 

Grand League punts

*Since his debut, Sean Williams has been a consistent force for Zimbabwe and that augurs well for the fact why he should be in your team each time Zimbabwe play a T20I match. For the fact that, Williams averages 25.12     with the bat alongside having 36 wickets in the format makes for a strong case. 

*With an average of 20.39, Mustafizur Rahman is exactly what the doctor ordered. He has an incredible average of 19.5 while batting first and is especially successful against the right-handed batters. Given Zimbabwe side is filled with right-handed batters, you can easily bank on him to reap you success.

Here are top Criclytics Projections

Probable XIs:

Zimbabwe : Regis Chakabva (wk), Craig Ervine (c), Sean Williams, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, I Kaia, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava

Bangladesh: Litton Das, Anamul Haque, Najmul Shanto, Afif Hossain, Munim Shahriar, Nurul Hasan (c & wk), Mosaddek Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed