Pakistan vs New Zealand 2018, 1st T20I – Dream11 Fantasy Tips

After a 3-0 clean-sweep over the Australians, Pakistan will now take on New Zealand in a three-match T20I series in UAE. This series will be marked as the return of the Kiwis to the International circuit who have not played any game since the start of the IPL. The New Zealand players made appearances only in the T20 leagues in these seven months.

Few players from the current squad are coming fresh from playing the unofficial T20I and ODI series against Pakistan ‘A’ in UAE. New Zealand will have a selection headache at picking up the playing XI. Glenn Phillips, who was brilliant in the CPL, bagged a hat-trick of ducks in the unofficial ODI series against Pakistan. They need to pick two among Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee and Adam Milne.

Southee was decent in his stint with RCB on slower tracks while Ferguson and Milne did well in the T20 Blast. This series is also expected to be constructed around low scores like the one between Pakistan and Australia. Once again, the players who could provide an extra option with the ball will be handy to be picked in one’s fantasy team.

Match Details:

The first T20I match between Pakistan and New Zealand will be hosted by the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The match starts at 8:00 PM local time (4:00 PM GMT) (9:30 PM IST).

Last five T20I matches:

Pakistan: W, W, W, W, W.

New Zealand: L, L, W, L, L.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium has been one of the nightmare venues in T20I cricket as it now has witnessed a total over 160 in the four T20Is involving Pakistan since 2016. The Abu Dhabi T20 tournament recorded some big totals in the 3-day tournament earlier this month which witnessed the huge boundaries at this venue getting pushed. However, the situation becomes quite different when it comes to International cricket.

Squads:

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Waqas Maqsood, Faheem Ashraf.

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, Glenn Phillips, Ajaz Patel.

Probable XI:

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (c, wk), Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi / Usman Khan.

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips/Tim Seifert, Ross Taylor, Mark Chapman, Corey Anderson, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson/Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Ajaz Patel.

Power Picks:

The leg-spinners Shadab Khan and Ish Sodhi will be crucial pickings, especially on these slower surfaces in UAE. Both the wrist spinners have been amongst wickets this year and are currently ranked in top three of the ICC T20I rankings for the bowlers. New Zealand’s Mark Chapman is quite good at scoring against spinners.

Best Playing XI:

Glenn Phillips, Kane Williamson, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Colin Munro, Mark Chapman, Mohammad Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Ish Sodhi.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Babar Azam and Kane Williamson are quite consistent with the bat in the T20I format and are worth for multiplier options. Williamson was in the form of his life during the IPL where he brought out his best at hitting sixes. The likes of Imad Wasim, Colin Munro and Ish Sodhi can also be considered for multiplier option.

Expert Advice:

Shoaib Malik is confirmed about his availability for the first T20I despite being blessed by a baby boy on Tuesday. Pakistan will field with only one of their two left-arm pacers. It is better to not take a risk of taking any of them. However, Shaheen Shah has more chances to be in the playing XI of the first game.

Probable Winners:

Pakistan could edge out New Zealand on the basis of their good run in this format. New Zealand, on the other hand, have won only one of their last seven T20Is and could continue their struggles.

*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.