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CricBattle Daily Fantasy Cricket League Tips

Australia v Pakistan on December 26

Australia lead Pakistan 1-0 with two to play as the sides head to the MCG for the Boxing Day test match and although just 39 runs separated the teams in Brisbane, Australia are once again short priced favorites. Australia controlled the bulk of the first test but they survived a scare in the final innings when Pakistan threatened to chase down a highly unlikely target of 490 for victory in the fourth innings of the match. Going into this upcoming Test match, Australia have called up Western Australia batsman Hilton Cartwright to the squad with Nic Maddinson likely to make way. However, skipper Smith will be the danger man as far as Pakistan are concerned. The visitors will hope that Younis’ 65 in the second innings at The Gabba was a sign of things to come but it is fast bowler Amir who holds the key for the visitors. Amir bowled his heart out in the first Test and should be able to get more out of the red ball that will be used at the MCG.

·         Best economical pick – The visitors were bowled out for a mere 142 runs in their first innings of first test with Sarfraz Ahmed top-scoring with 59 runs. Sarfraz played an attacking innings which helped Pakistan to put a respectable score in first innings.

·         Top captains & vice captains – Steve Smith won the toss for Australia and chose to bat first. After Matt Renshaw impressed with 71 runs from the top of the order, skipper Steven Smith and debutant Peter Handscomb went on to register twin centuries to put the hosts in control. Captain Smith scored a half century in the second innings.

·       Smart pick – Pakistan put up a strong showing in the second innings as they managed to get to 450 runs, falling short of what have been a historic win by a mere 39 runs. After some good work from Azhar Ali and Younis Khan at the top of the order, Asad Shafiq hit a ton from number six. He broke the record of Sir Garry Sobers most centuries at no.6.

·         Cautions Pick – 25-year-old Maddinson has made a poor start to his Test career with the Baggy Greens after scoring just five runs in two matches in which he had featured in three innings. He is under tremendous pressure to hold his spot in the side for the second Test match against Pakistan after the selectors named Western Australia’s Hilton Cartwright in the squad as well.

My XI – Steve Smith (Captain),Peter Handscomb (Vice-Captain),Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Amir, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Sarfraz Ahmed, Sami Aslam, Jackson Bird, Matt Renshaw, Misbah-ul-Haq