ICC World Cup 2019, Match 17: Australia vs Pakistan – Fantain Fantasy Cricket Tips

Three matches in the World Cup have abandoned owing to rain. The latest of them was Bangladesh’s game versus Sri Lanka in Bristol. With so many matches being called off, the Net Run Rate (NRR) becomes more important than ever. This means that the teams are under pressure to take care of their wickets, hit the target faster and ensure consistent scoring to have a high NRR.

The next match is scheduled tomorrow between Australia and Pakistan at The Coopers Associates County Ground in Taunton and the weather forecast isn’t promising either. It means that the DLS Method may come into play and the game may also be abandoned. Here is all you need to read for both the teams before picking your Fantain XI.

Team News:

Australia  

Fourth on the table with 2 wins from 3 matches, Australia is sitting pretty. The trick they have to apply with Pakistan is to get early wickets. The Pakistan batting order is known to stumble if the top three batsmen fail. They should either bring in pacers or introduce one spinner to do the needful. The Australian batting order is strong enough to achieve any target that their Asian opponent throws at them. All this, assuming that the rains do not interfere.

Probable XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Kane Richardson, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Team News:

Pakistan

Out of three matches, they won one and lost one. The third match was abandoned due to rain. While they got their one point, they might have liked to play and defeat Sri Lanka to get full points. And looking at the form and rhythm of Sri Lanka, Pakistan might have won the match. Defeating Australia is not going to be a walk in the park, but Pakistan has defeated them. All the Asians need to do is hold on to their nerves and play like there’s no tomorrow.

Probable XI: Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali

Top Picks

Steve Smith: Being back after the ban, Smith came back with a bang to get Australia to this stage. Being able to play so well despite the crowd booing him shows a lot of character and determination.

Starc: He is another player who can take wickets even when under pressure.

Coulter-Nile: He recorded the highest World Cup score by a player batting at number 8. What more reason does one need to pick him for the fantasy lineup?

Fakhar Zaman: A blaster all the way, Zaman is needed to provide the strength to Pakistan lineup.

Our recommendation

Batsmen: Smith, Finch, Khawaja, Zaman

Bowlers: Starc, Coulter-Nile, Amir, Riaz

All-Rounders: Hafeez, Maxwell

Wicket-Keeper: Ahmed

This is our Fantain Fantasy XI but you’re the real expert.