FANTASY
Follow UsOne of the firm favourites to reach the summit clash in this edition of the T20 World Cup, Pakistan will lock horns against Namibia in an evening encounter on Tuesday, 2nd November, at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan have dominated proceedings in Group 2 and have won all three matches. On the other hand, Namibia have been one of the most improved teams in recent times. The Eagles have won their opening game against Scotland in the Super 12s but went down to Afghanistan in their last match by a margin of 62 runs.
The two sides have never competed against each other in this format of the game. Namibia will be keen to produce a spirited performance and keep their campaign alive with a win. On the other hand, a victory for Pakistan will take them to eight points and seal their place in the semi-finals of the competition.
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.
GROUND DETAILS
The average first innings total at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in this edition of the World Cup has been around the 131-run mark. The batters have scored at a run rate of 5.9 in the powerplay and struggled to score more than seven runs per over in the middle overs and at the death. With the ball, the fast bowlers have dominated at this venue and picked up 67 wickets in 16 innings with a wicket per inning ratio of 4.2 compared to 29 wickets and a wicket per inning ratio of 1.8.
SUGGESTED CAPTAIN
Babar Azam
The skipper of the Pakistan side will be one of the key players to watch out for in this encounter. The right-handed batter has been in sublime form and scored 128 runs in three innings at an average of 64 and a strike rate of 116.4. In T20Is since 2020, Babar has scored 927 runs, including 11 half-centuries, which is the most by any player among all the teams.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Babar to score 26-40 runs in this match.
X-FACTORS
Mohammad Rizwan
The opening batter is the leading run-scorer this calendar year, with 872 runs at an average of 87.2 and a strike rate of 137. With an unbeaten 79 in the opening clash against India, Mohammad Rizwan has been in scintillating form and will be one of the X factors for the Pakistan side. The wicket-keeper batter, along with Babar, has shouldered the bulk of the responsibility of the side at the top of the order and will look to give the team a solid start in this game.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Rizwan to score 22-34 runs in this match.
JJ Smit
One of the upcoming all-rounders in world cricket, Namibia, would rely heavily on the dual role of JJ Smit in this match. The right-handed batter will be a vital cog in the batting unit of the side in the middle order and has scored 421 runs at an average of 35 in T20Is. With the ball, the left-arm pacer has been consistent with his line and length in this format and picked up 23 wickets at an economy rate of 6.35.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Smit to score 15-23 runs and pick up 1-2 wickets in this match.
Haris Rauf
Haris Rauf has been the leading bowler for Babar in the death overs. The right arm pacer has picked up six wickets in this edition of the tournament, and four of them have been in the back end of the innings and conceded at an economy rate of 6.5. Rauf will be one of the key players of the side in this innings and will look to pick up crucial wickets to help Pakistan inch closer to the semi-finals.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Rauf to pick up 2-3 wickets in this match.