In order to prepare for the T20 world cup, the New Zealand team tours Pakistan. The Pakistan team is definitely among the favorites heading into the World T20 with them being familiar with the conditions in UAE and it is expected that with the conditions assisting the spinning ball, the teams coming from conditions where the seaming and bouncing ball dominates, are expected to struggle. New Zealand has already had a competitive series against the Bangladesh team, this is expected to be a stern test for them too. So where does that leave us with the fantasy cricket tips with the 1st ODI. Let’s see the players who we think will do well in the first ODI which is going to take place on the 17th September.
- Babar Azam
The limited over game is definitely the playground of the already legendary Babar Azam. Babar is in the prime of his career and averages over 40 in every single format. The average in the 50 over format goes over to 56 with a strike rate of close to 90. He averages 41 against New Zealand. This is going to be another opportunity for him to dominate with the pitches being relatively flat
- Mohammed Rizwan
Rizwan has a relatively low average at 27 but if there is one player who has been reformed and had a resurgence in his career, it is Mohammed Rizwan. He has been at the top his game in the last three years in all formats, so you are looking at a player who isn’t just in form but also hungry to do well. This isn’t a player you shouldn’t have in your team. He will give you points as a batsman and as a keeper.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
The most reliable bowler in the Pakistan ranks has been on fire after a couple of doses of criticism that he had received. This is going to be a chance for him to get in form and get some good game time before the T20 world cup begins. Now is the time you should back him because he is in the form of his life
- Ajaz Patel
You do expect the spinner to be effective on these pitches. He is coming of the most impressive display in the Bangladesh game where in the final game he picked up 2 wickets for 21 runs in the allotted 4 overs. He has the ability to keep the ball in accurate areas and if the pitch has some assistance, he becomes deadly. He is also good at variations in flight and in speed
- Tom Latham
Captaincy sits well on him and he has been doing very well. He played a match winning 50 in tough conditions and won his side the game and gave an account of himself in the T20 series in a hard-fought Bangladesh tour. They finished 3-2 and would be taking this confidence to the Pakistan series. All you can say about Tom and his team is that they won’t give up without a fight and that is for sure.
- Scott Kuggeleijn
Scott has left his personal demons behind and is right now a very important part of the team that is going to get into this series. Expect him to be a player that is going to be very useful in the conditions as his variations are something that will come in handy in these games and in these conditions. That was proven in the 3/23 he picked up in 4 overs.
