FANTASY
Follow UsAfter a spirited performance by Namibia in their opening encounter against Sri Lanka in the ICC T20 World Cup, they will lock horns against the Netherlands in their second league match in an afternoon encounter at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Dutch outfit is stepping onto the field after a dismal performance against Ireland and will look to make amends in this must-win encounter. The two sides have competed only once in the T20 internationals, with the Netherlands registering a comprehensive 44-run win.
SUGGESTED TEAM
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
GROUND DETAILS
The average first innings total at the Zayed Cricket Stadium will be around the 150-run mark. However, with plenty of cricket played at the venue in the past couple of months, the wickets will be sluggish in nature, making it hard for the batter to play their free-flowing game. In the T20s since 2019, the pace bowlers have picked up 510 wickets in 142 innings at a strike rate of 19.3 compared to 255 wickets at a strike rate of 23.7.
SUGGESTED CAPTAIN
Max O'Dowd
Max O'Dowd anchored the innings against Ireland in their last encounter by notching up a well-compiled half-century at the top of the order. The right-handed batter scored 51 of 47 deliveries studded with seven boundaries to help the Netherlands post a fighting total on the board. In this must-win encounter for the Netherlands, O'Dowd will be the crucial player opening the batting and will look to give the team a flying start at the top of the order.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts O'Dowd to score 34-50 runs in this match.
X-FACTORS
Craig Williams
The leading run-scorer for Namibia in the previous clash against Sri Lanka, Craig Williams, anchored the innings by scoring 29 off 36 deliveries to help the side post 96 runs on the board in the first innings. The 37-year old has scored 537 runs in 19 innings at an average of 33.6 and a strike rate of 125.17 and will be a vital cog in the middle order of the side.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Williams to score 29-43 runs in this match.
Ben Cooper
While Ben Copper was dismissed early in the last game against Ireland, the left-handed batter is one of the most experienced players in the side. With 1230 runs in 54 innings, the onus of the batting department will rely heavily on him in this must-win encounter. The 29-year old will look to make optimum use of the field restrictions and will be one of the players to watch out for in this clash.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Cooper to score 29-43 runs in this match.
JJ Smit
One of the upcoming all-rounders in world cricket, JJ Smit, will be one of the key players for Namibia in this match. The left-arm pacer will be crucial to the fortunes of the side in the middle overs and will also play a handy role with the bat down the order. With 375 runs at an average of 34.09 and 20 wickets, Smit will be an X-Factor heading into this much-awaited match.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Smit to score 17-25 runs and pick up 2-3 wickets in this match.
