We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
Matches played in the edition: 2
1st innings average score: 137
2nd innings average score: 110
Type: Batting has been a tough task. An average of 8 wickets have fallen per innings.
Teams
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka/Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana
Probable XI for UAE: Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind (wk), Chundangapoyil Rizwan (c), Basil Hameed, Zawar Farid, Aayan Afzal Khan, Kashif Daud, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Zahoor Khan
Game Changers
Considering Vriitya Aravind’s numbers this year, it was a rare failure against Namibia. He has scored three fifties and as many fifties, including bonus points for 50 boundaries (4×36 and 6×14) in 13 games. With the gloves, he has taken 6 catches and inflicted 2 stumpings.
Basil Hameed is often in the game with his all-round skills. He has registered two thirties and taken 3 wickets in the last 5 T20Is.
Amidst a horrific collapse, Dasun Shanaka showed great resilience and pleased the fantasy players with a knock of 29 off 23 including two fours and a six. His average this year reads 34.
Smart Picks
With 58.5 points, Junaid Siddique was the vice-captain of the Ultimate Team in UAE’s opening game, generating bonus points for a three-wicket haul. His form lately has been a respite for the UAE. In the warm-up game against West Indies, he had registered stunning figures of 5 for 13.
Besides taking a wicket, Zahoor Khan produced 3 bonus points for an economy of 2.8 RPO. In his last 10 games, he has gone wicketless only twice, overall taking 10 wickets.
Wanindu Hasaranga continued his impressive show with the ball, taking 1 for 27. Since the Asia Cup, he has taken 10 wickets in 7 games. Clearing his accurate mystery spin will always remain challenging on the big Australian grounds.
The same has been the case with Maheesh Theekshana. Besides taking a wicket, he gave a bonus point for maintaining an economy of 5.8 RPO. He has not gone wicketless in the last 7 games, overall taking 9 wickets.
Power Players
In 2022, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has added 228 runs at a terrific average of 38. Despite Namibia putting him on the back foot with disciplined bowling, he did well to stitch 20 runs including 2 boundaries.
Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka’s best batters this year, walked back for single-digit scores. Both average in 30s since the Asia Cup. One failure is unlikely to affect their selection percentage.
Amidst a continuous fall of wickets, Mohammad Waseem’s 41 off 47 kept the scorecard ticking against Namibia. For that matter, his performance in 2022 has been top notch. With 544 runs at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 147 , he is the highest run-scorer for the team. In the field too, he tops the list with 15 catches.
Fantasy Tip of The Day
Bowlers have produced more fantasy points at the venue in the last two games. Meanwhile, batters who play according to the merit of the ball have reaped benefits.
