FANTASY
Follow UsPakistan will take on Scotland in Match 41 of the T20 World Cup 2021 at Sharjah on Sunday (November 7). On an unbeaten run, Pakistan are through to the semis and must be aiming at bolstering their confidence further since there seems to be no chinks to be fixed in their armour. Scotland, on the contrary, would like to get off the mark in the Super 12 stage before bowing out of the tournament.
Ground Details and Team Combination
Despite the short boundaries, Sharjah was one of the toughest venues for batting given the sluggish tracks. The conundrum is visible in the numbers. In the first seven Super 12 matches at Sharjah, the run-rate was the highest - 7.5. However, the average sat at the lowest figure of 22.5. A high-scoring Match 39, between South Africa and England, changed the dynamics a little, lifting the run-rate and average to 7.7 and 24. There has been strip at the venue which has played better than others while the remaining have been in favor of the bowlers. Which track will they play is currently unknown.
But the spinners have consistently made a mark here, taking approximately three wickets per innings. In addition, the composition of the two teams alongside the form of a few players do clear the picture for us.
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.
Captain
Sharjah presents tailor-made conditions for Babar Azam to play a big knock. The Pakistan captain has been in a rich vein of form this World Cup, scoring three fifties in four outings. He averages 66. The strike-rate is almost irrelevant given the team bats around him. Hence, Babar is the perfect choice to be your captain. Generic but still perfect.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Babar to score 34-50 runs in this match
X Factors
Imad Wasim has picked wickets in each of the last three matches. What tilts the odds in his favor is a right-handed heavy batting line-up for Scotland, beyond the opener George Munsey. Moreover, Scotland have failed to cope up with left-arm spin this World Cup, averaging only 18.5 against the bowling type, striking at less than run a ball.
Scotland have had grim fortunes in their last few games but Michael Leask has found some solace for himself. While his off-spin might not sit well until Scotland dislodge Pakistan’s opening pair, Leask has put up scores of 21, 42* and 44 with the bat in the last three games. He might be up for a batting promotion as well for this game.
Here are the top-10 picks as per Criclytics projected points-
Player Match-ups
The above picture depicts George Munsey’s batting average against various bowling types. There lies a clear challenge for him first up against Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez, the two potential new ball bowlers for Pakistan in this contest. Munsey has still made it to our suggested team given he is the highest run-scorer for Scotland in this tournament but there lies a clearly match-up for him to counter.
Probable XIs
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf
Scotland: George Munsey, Kyle Coetzer (c), Matthew Cross (wk), Richie Berrington, Michael Leask, Calum Macleod, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, Alasdair Evans, Brad Wheal
