2023 World Cup Fantasy League: Best Fantasy XI for Match 12 - IND vs PAK - 14th Oct, 2023 | World Cup Fantasy Tips
India and Pakistan face off in the 12th match of the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup on Saturday, October 14, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Players playing in Match 11: Devon Conway (WK) (NZ), Trent Boult (BOWL) (NZ), Rachin Ravindra (ALL) (NZ), Shakib Al Hasan (ALL) (BAN), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (ALL) (BAN), Daryl Mitchell (ALL) (NZ)
Captain: Shakib Al Hasan | Vice-captain: Rachin Ravindra
Booster Played: Power All-Rounder
Total Points: 5,282
The Power All-rounder booster ended up decent, but it easily could've been a much bigger haul. I always try to judge the outcome by whether the players I picked had the opportunity to perform well, and in this game, they had ample time to deliver points.
Rachin Ravindra, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz all batted in the Top 5 and bowled more than seven overs on a pretty good track for spinners. However, the part-timer Daryl Mitchell ended up the highest point-scorer after another effortless half-century, and I'm glad I backed him over Mitchell Santner for this Booster.
While part of me wonders what it could've been had Shakib not gotten out playing a rash shot, or had Kane Williamson's catch been taken early, I'm happy with my decision from a technical perspective, with all the players I picked getting the opportunity to deliver points.
Moving on to today's match, it's the big faceoff between India and Pakistan, and I plan to make three transfers for the same.
Transfer Deadline: 02:00 pm IST, Saturday, October 14.
Note: The suggested team is subject to change depending on the toss or other unexpected team news. Any such changes will be updated for the next match day.
Transfers
Transfers Made: 2 | Transfers Remaining: 110
1) Shakib Al Hasan (ALL) (BAN) - OUT | Haris Rauf (BOWL) (PAK) - IN
2) Daryl Mitchell (ALL) (NZ) - OUT | Abdullah Shafique (BAT) (PAK) - IN
3) Mehidy Hasan Miraz (ALL) (BAN) - OUT | Hardik Pandya (ALL) (IND) - IN
Based on how the wicket played in the ENG-NZ match and how the pre-match images looked, we'll likely have another batter-friendly square for this blockbuster encounter, with something in it for the quicker bowlers.
Already owning Kohli and Bumrah, adding Hardik Pandya was a no-brainer. The Narendra Modi Stadium is his home ground during the IPL, and he's sure to know the venue inside out. He also loves playing against Pakistan and has a stellar record against them in ODI cricket, scoring 209 runs in four matches, averaging close to 70, and scoring at a strike rate of 130+.
As for the picks from Pakistan, Haris Rauf looks like the bowler who can extract the most out of this wicket. His express pace can get him wickets at any stage of the match, and he does look the most reliable of the three Pakistan seamers, with Shaheen struggling to find swing and Hasan Ali playing after a long time (albeit pretty well).
Getting Abdullah Shafique over Babar or Rizwan is a decision I may end up reversing, but I feel that the centurion against Sri Lanka will carry that form into this match on what should be a beautiful batting surface. Shafique's solid technique and temperament at the crease could help him get past India's new-ball burst, which is essential to scoring runs against them.
2023 World Cup Fantasy - Best Fantasy XI for Match 12 - IND vs PAK: Thoughts and Captaincy Tips
Players playing in Match 12: Virat Kohli (BAT) (IND), Jasprit Bumrah (BOWL) (IND), Abdullah Shafique (BAT) (PAK), Hardik Pandya (ALL) (IND), and Haris Rauf (BOWL) (PAK)
Quite literally all five of these players could get the captain's armband, but Hardik has the edge due to his familiarity with the conditions, likely increased bowling responsibility, and his record against the opponent. With the conditions favoring the batter, Kohli and Abdullah Shafique also stand a better chance.
Other players
David Warner (BAT) (AUS) | Next Fixture: vs SL, Match 14
Mitchell Starc (BOWL) (AUS) | Next Fixture: vs SL, Match 14
Devon Conway (WK) (NZ) | Next Fixture: vs AFG, Match 16
Trent Boult (BOWL) (NZ) | Next Fixture: vs AFG, Match 16
Joe Root (BAT) (ENG) | Next Fixture: vs AFG, Match 13
Rachin Ravindra (ALL) (NZ) | Next Fixture: vs AFG, Match 16