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CricBattle Daily Fantasy Cricket League Tips

Pakistan vs New Zealand on December 3

This series is finely poised with one win each coming into this deciding test in Abu Dhabi. The tourists will have to come to terms with Yasir Shah’s leg spin if they want to succeed but they do have the batsmen to do so if they can maintain their concentration and bat for long spells. That was the key for Pakistan in the second Test and they patiently built a big first innings total. They have the bit between their teeth right now and Yasir Shah especially looks to be the decisive player in the series so far with little sign of New Zealand being able to hold him out for long enough. Shah could just about spin it into Pakistan’s favor once again. New Zealand’s innings defeat to Pakistan in the second Test of their three-game series came after a nail-biting four-run win in their first encounter. Despite the Black Caps’ collapse in their first innings in the second test, there were signs of a fightback in their second innings, with Tom Latham, Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls all scoring half-centuries.

Best economical pick – With Jeet Raval and Latham at the top, and Williamson and Taylor next in, Henry Nicholls might have been expected to play a lesser role than he has. But he has stood out with half-centuries in the second innings in both Tests, 55 in Abu Dhabi and 77 in Dubai. He’d want to get to three-digits next, and looking at his form, it could well happen.

Top captains & vice captains – The bowling for Pakistan holds its shape well with Yasir Shah leading the pack along with Hasan Ali. The 32-year-old leg-spinner has 195 wickets in 32 Tests and needs just five more to become the quickest bowler to reach 200 Test wickets. Yasir, in fact, can take it anytime in the next three Tests as former Australian, Clarrie Grimmett, who took his 200th wicket in his 36th Test against South Africa in 1936. Babar Azam  registered his maiden Test Ton (127) for Pakistan, and along with Haris Sohail (147) forged a formidable partnership in the middle which eventually resulted into a colossal total of 418 being put up by the Pakistani unit.

Smart pick – Skipper Kane Williamson has been New Zealand’s most consistent batsman of the series and scored 100 and 58 runs in two Tests respectively. While Opener Tom Latham is coming off a 50 in last game.

Cautions Pick – New Zealand All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme will be hoping to have more of an impact in the third Test having scored just 17 runs in four innings and taking just four wickets in three innings, and his place could well be under threat after struggling to come to terms with conditions and Pakistan’s bowling attack.

My XI – Yasir Shah (Captain), Babar Azam (Vice-Captain), Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Hasan Ali, Haris Sohail, BJ Watling, Jeet Raval, Mohammad Hafeez, Ross Taylor