Pakistan haven't played in Pakistan in ages and Sri Lanka haven't played in Pakistan in a decade. Bangladesh and Afghanistan are, meanwhile, in a give and take tussle all through the month.
Thus, the task is cut out for Nostragamus fantasy managers this week but we have made it easier by shortlisting five must-picks in your Fantasy team this week.
BABAR AZAM
Country: Pakistan
Match/Series: Pakistan v Sri Lanka ODIs
The most exciting Pakistan batsman, Babar Azam has been rewriting record books with his impeccable consistency in the fifty-overs format. He averages 59.12 in the format this year and has two hundreds and a strike rate nearly touching 90. Just 56 short of 1000 runs in the calendar year, Azam should be a must pick this week in your fantasy team.
MOHAMMAD NABI
Country: Afghanistan
Match/Series: Afghanistan - Bangladesh - Zimbabwe T20Is
After a fantastic 84 in 54 balls early in the series, Nabi's returns have dwindled a bit but he is a big match player and the tri-series finals should motivate him enough to put up another compelling performance. Add in his consistent bowling and he becomes the most valuable fantasy asset this week, or any week they play for that matter.
SHAKIB AL HASAN
Country: Bangladesh
Match/Series: Afghanistan - Bangladesh - Zimbabwe T20Is
Shakib is to Bangladesh what Nabi is to Afghanistan. The Bangladesh skipper and all-rounder redeemed the reputation of the hosts with a match-winning knock in the dead rubber against Afghanistan last week to hand the Blue Tigers their second defeat on this tour. Shakib remains a gun player in fantasy and is a no-brainer for the all-important finals.
AVISHKA FERNANDO
Country: Sri Lanka
Match/Series: Pakistan v Sri Lanka ODIs
If you are looking at the Sri Lankan team and wondering whom to pick, look no further than Avishka Fernando. The dynamic middle-order batsman smacked a century in the World Cup and has averaged a healthy 36+ in the format this year. A strike rate nearly touching 99 in the format in 2019 further backs Fernando's selection.
USMAN SHINWARI
Country: Pakistan
Match/Series: Pakistan v Sri Lanka ODIs
Usman Khan Shinwari was a shock omission from Pakistan's World Cup team if you were following the Men in Green closely enough. The left-arm seamer has played only 15 ODIs but has 28 wickets at an average of 19.32 and an economy less than 5. Three four-wicket hauls aside from a five-wicket haul make him a must pick in your fantasy side, especially since he is back to prove a point.
Don’t waste any time. Log on to NostraGamus and start building your team.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lindsey Parnaby
