FANTASY
Follow UsIn one of the most anticipated clashes in the T20 World Cup, arch-rivals, India take on Pakistan in a Super 12 clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday (October 24). India have won all five matches in the tournament’s history over Pakistan and will look to make it six in a row. Pakistan, on the other hand, have named their 12 for the match and will be keen to break India’s run.
In T20Is, Pakistan have beaten India just once in T20Is, which was in Bangalore in 2012. Since then, India have gone on to win all four matches.
T20I head-to-head
Overall matches: 8 | India 7 wins | Pakistan 1 win
Last 5 matches: India 4 wins | Pakistan 1 win
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. Based on algorithms, we have come up with one team.
Ground details
In T20s this year, a high percentage of wickets has been picked up by the fast bowlers and have done so at a better balls per wicket (18.8) and runs per wicket ratio (25.4), compared to the spinners, whose corresponding numbers are 25.5 and 30.9 respectively.
A score in excess of 155 could be difficult to chase down in Dubai and only twice has a team won a match here, after batting first in the last 10 matches. Winning the toss and fielding seems to be the way to go here.
Suggested captain
No batter has scored more runs than Mohammad Rizwan’s 752 runs in T20Is this year. The wicketkeeper-batsman has done so at an average of 94 and a strike-rate in excess of 140. In eight of his 14 T20I innings this year he has scored at least 50. Rizwan has also inflicted 11 dismissals this year, which includes 10 catches and a stumping. The Pakistan opener ticks all boxes to lead your fantasy side.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Rizwan could score 14-20 runs in this match
X-Factors
KL Rahul finished with 626 runs at 45.21 at a strike rate of 138.80 from his 12 innings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Added to this, he looked in excellent form in the warm-up matches, scoring 51 and 39 against England and Australia respectively. India will hope that his form continues at the top.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Rahul could score 40-60 runs in this match
Shardul Thakur picked up the most wickets in the UAE leg of the IPL 2021 picking up 16 wickets at 16.3, striking once every 12.8 deliveries. He was recently added in the squad in place of Axar Patel and would hope that he justifies this move. The fact that he could play a small cameo with the bat further adds to his advantage.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Thakur could pick up 2-3 wickets in this match
Out of his 32 wickets in T20s this year, Haris Rauf has struck 24 times at the death, making him a dangerous campaigner. Only Dwayne Bravo (27) and Mustafizur Rahman (32) have picked up more wickets in this phase in 2021. In overs 16 to 20, Rauf has struck every 10.7 deliveries at an average of 17.5 and could be a thorn in India’s flesh.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Rauf could pick up 1-2 wickets in this match
