Australia vs Pakistan, 2019: 1st Test – Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details

The 1st Test of the two-match series between Australia and Pakistan will be played at The Gabba in Brisbane.

The match starts at 10:00 AM local time (05:30 AM IST) (12:00 AM GMT). The match will be live on Sony Six and Sony Six HD. Live streaming will be available on Sony LIV.

Preview for Dream11 Fantasy

Things are back to normal for Australia with their seasoned campaigners Steve Smith and David Warner back in whites at home. They are coming off an exciting Ashes series and will be hoping that their struggling batting line-up apart from Smith scores runs. The pace bowling trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins is back at the helm while Joe Burns also returns to the side.

The unpredictable Pakistan side brings a lot to the table on this tour with a lot of changes to their Test side. Azhar Ali, the new captain, and the new coach Misbah-ul-Haq will be keen to re-write history and clearly, this team promises a lot more. Naseem Shah has been talked up a lot more in the lead up to the series and is set to make his Test debut while Babar Azam is finally looking primed to stamp his authority in the whites.

Overall, an enthralling game at The Gabba can be expected and if Pakistan live up to their promise, Australia might have a tough time like they had against India last season.

Weather Report

The weather is set to fair for the game of cricket on all the five days. The sun will be out and there shouldn’t be any rain interruption at any stage. The temperature is expected to hover in the high 20s according to AccuWeather.

Pitch Report

As usual, The Gabba surface will have a lot of bounce in it and if the current pictures are concerned, there be a lot for the new-ball bowlers in the first session. The curator has left a lot of grass on the surface. However, if the batsmen survive the first couple of hours, there will be a lot of runs on offer. Both the sides have to make the new ball count in order to dominate the proceedings.

Average first innings score: 339 (61 Test matches played at the venue)

Average second innings score: 317

Average third innings score: 240

Average fourth innings score: 163

Injury and Availability News:

Australia have confirmed their playing XI with Cameron Bancroft and Michael Neser set to be benched.

Probable Playing XIs for Dream11 Fantasy

Australia

David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (C & WK), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

Bench – Michael Neser, Cameron Bancroft

Pakistan

Azhar Ali (C), Shan Masood, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas/Imran Khan.

Bench – Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Kashif Bhatti, Muhammad Musa.

Top Picks:

Steve Smith, without an iota of doubt, not only has to be your top pick but also the captain in Dream11 Fantasy. He will definitely be amongst runs. Also, more than Warner, Marnus Labuschagne can be banked upon and it would be great to have Cummins and Hazlewood. Starc can also run through the lower order.

For Pakistan, Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq will be key while Shaheen Afridi could also be a useful pick. Iftikhar Ahmed also impressed in the practice game.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Steve Smith, Babar Azam, Pat Cummins

Vice-Captain – Asad Shafiq, Shaheen Afridi, Marnus Labuschagne

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Dream11 Fantasy:

Keeper – Mohammad Rizwan

Batters – Asad Shafiq (VC), Babar Azam, Steve Smith (C), David Warner

All-Rounders – Marnus Labuschagne

Bowlers – Imran Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Dream11 Fantasy:

Keeper – Matthew Wade

Batters – Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Steve Smith (C)

All-Rounders – Iftikhar Ahmed, Marnus Labuschagne

Bowlers – Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Pat Cummins (VC), Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon

Expert Advice

Asad Shafiq is one of the underrated batsmen in Pakistan line-up. He has been picked in only 18% of the Dream11 Fantasy teams as of now and is unlikely to be picked by many. He also scored a brilliant ton in the practice game. Pick him in your team and he will earn many Fantasy points for you.

The formation of Pakistan’s pace attack is still unclear. Wait for their playing XI to be announced before finalising your picks.

It wouldn’t be a bad option to make one of the Aussie bowlers C or VC if they bowl first.

Probable Winners

Australia are expected to win the match and bag crucial 60 points in WTC.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.