T20 World Cup 2021 – Match No.17 – Afghanistan vs Scotland – Dream11 Prediction – Match Conditions – Playing XI Probables – Fantasy Suggestions – Dream11 Team
Another day, another interesting game in the T20 World Cup in UAE. Afghanistan, the team that has seen some real cricketing heights in recent years, will open their tournament against the team that came up top in their group in the qualifiers, Scotland.
Afghanistan won their second warm-up game against West Indies conveniently. Their top 4 batsmen scored around 170, and the bowlers followed up with a decent outing which helped the Asian team win the game with a convincing lead of 56 runs.
Scotland was also brilliant in their qualification round, winning all 3 matches. The win against Bangladesh helped them lead the group, which put them in Group 2. Today’s win will help both teams create an impact in the group where they have India, Pakistan and New Zealand.
Match Conditions
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Date and time: October 25, 2021 | 7.30 PM IST
Weather: It will be a hot day with no rain expected.
What can you expect?
In this venue, Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh game yesterday saw teams scoring 343 runs in total for a loss of 9 wickets. Especially the batting in the middle overs looked real good with batters hitting boundaries with ease. The pitch seemed better than what we’ve previously seen in Sharjah this year. If this is to continue, one can expect more high scoring games in this part of UAE.
Toss once again will play a huge role in this tournament. Sri Lanka produced their highest successful run-chase in T20 World Cups yesterday, and the team winning the toss will look to bowl and start the game as favorites.
Playing XI Probables
Afghanistan
The openers Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad went out for none in the opening warm-up game against South Africa and came up with a 90-runs partnership against West Indies. Both scored a half-century in that game. It is more likely that they will continue with the same pair. Asghar Afghan’s presence in the Playing XI is still a question.
The captain Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are certainties in the Playing XI.
Probable Playing XI: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi (c), Rashid Khan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Hamid Hassan, Usman Ghani,
Scotland
Scotland, in their qualifying round, played almost the same team in all 3 qualifier games. Their only change was the pacer Alasdair Evans being replaced by another pacer, Safyaan Sharif, in a couple of games. So I expect them to play the same team in today’s game.
Probable Playing XI: George Munsey, Kyle Coetzer (C), Matthew Cross (wk), Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Josh Davey, Alasdair Evans/Safyaan Sharif, Bradley Wheal.
Fantasy Suggestions
Afghanistan got some experienced campaigners in their side, which you could take advantage of. Players like Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are fantasy favorites.
UAE pitches, lately, are meant to be a chasing ground. Teams chasing won both the games in the first two games of this tournament. So pick batsmen from the chasing team as your captaincy players.
Read our ten mantras to pick the best fantasy team.
Dream11 Team
Wicket keepers: Shahzad is in sublime touch. Obvious pick. Cross at No.3 is a value pick as he is in good form.
Batters: I am going with the Scotland opener Munsey along with Najibullah and Zazai.
All-rounders: All-rounders are available at the abundance in both teams. The top 3 should be Nabi, Berrington, & Greaves.
Bowlers: Picking Rashid and Mujeeb are no brainers. After a long thought picking Davey as he had more than a decent outing in the qualifiers.
Captaincy pick: Nabi and Rashid must be the best captaincy picks.
