Pakistan vs New Zealand 2018, 3rd T20I – Dream11 Fantasy Tips

Pakistan continued their winning streak under Sarfraz Ahmed in the T20I format as they registered their 11th consecutive series win. Since their early exit from the 2016 World T20, Pakistan have developed into a strong T20I unit. In these two years, they have won all the T20I series and tournaments. They also won all the 11 T20Is while chasing in this period including the 2nd T20I. The No.1 ranked T20I side is currently on an 8-match T20I winning streak.

On the other hand, New Zealand have a contrasting record in this format having won only one of their previous nine T20Is. Despite returning to International cricket after a gap of seven months, the Kiwis gave a tough fight to the Pakistan team as they lost the first game by two runs and the second match in the final over. They will be eager to take the field for the one last time in this series before heading into the ODI series with some momentum.

Pakistan doesn’t have any selection problems but could rest a couple of players prior to the ODI series. There is a fair chance that they field a full-strength XI for the final game and finish the whitewash. At the same time, New Zealand is expected to make a couple of changes like bringing in Mark Chapman, who is a good player of spin. Tim Southee could also be left out for Lockie Ferguson after not making an impact in the first two T20Is.

Match Details:

The third T20I match between Pakistan and New Zealand will be hosted by the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

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, L, L, W.

Pitch Condition/Report:

For the third consecutive time in the last couple of weeks, the Dubai Stadium recorded scores between 130 and 160 in T20Is. However, batsmen have struggled to get going at this venue and the bowling of both the teams ensured it stayed that way.

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), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

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

Power Picks:

Asif Ali is expected to continue at No.3, a move which has been working for the Pakistan team. Adam Milne and Shaheen Shah Afridi could change the course of the game with his bowling for their respective teams.

Best Playing XI:

Sarfraz Ahmed, Kane Williamson, Babar Azam, Asif Ali, Colin Munro, Mohammad Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Shaheen Shah.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Babar Azam and Kane Williamson continue to hold the key with their consistency in T20s which should be rewarded by using the multiplier option. Colin Munro and Mohammad Hafeez can also be considered as captain and vice-captain.

Expert Advice:

Tim Southee could face the axe after a couple of low profile performances. Shaheen Afridi bounced back in the previous game and could be rested for Usman Khan ahead of the ODI series. Glenn Phillips has low returns in his last five innings in the UAE and could be swapped with Mark Chapman.

Probable Winners:

Expect Pakistan to once again edge out New Zealand and complete yet another clean sweep in the T20I format in UAE.

*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.

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