Carrara Oval will host its third ever men’s international – and first between Australia and India. This ground has the sixth-highest strike rate (129.24) among grounds in Australia that have hosted at least 10 T20s.
Carrara Oval Gold Coast T20 records: Results split between batting first and second
There have been 11 men’s T20s played on this ground since the start of 2021. These include a number of shortened matches due to rain. There is an even mix of results, with chasing teams winning six times compared to five batting first.
January 2024: Brisbane Heat (214/7) beat Adelaide Strikers (160) by 54 runs.
January 2024: Sydney Sixers (152/8) beat Brisbane Heat (113) by 39 runs.
December 2022: Sydney Thunder (182/6) beat Brisbane Heat (171/9) by 11 runs.
October 2022: Australia (146/7) beat West Indies (145/9) by three wickets.
January 2022: Sydney Thunder (137/4) beat Perth Scorchers (133/9) by six wickets.
January 2022: Perth Scorchers (143/8) beat Sydney Sixers (133/8) by 10 runs.
December 2021: Brisbane Heat (141/5) beat Melbourne Renegades (140/6) by five wickets.
January 2021: Sydney Sixers (152/7) beat Brisbane Heat (148) by three wickets.
January 2021: Brisbane Heat (115/3) beat Melbourne Stars (111/5) by four runs.
January 2021: Sydney Sixers (151/3) beat Adelaide Strikers (150/4) by seven wickets.
January 2021: Sydney Thunder (117/2) beat Melbourne Renegades (166/6) by eight wickets (D/L method).
Run rate higher in first innings on average
In these 11 T20s, the overall run rate batting first is 8.23 compared to 8.01 batting second. The large ground makes defending scores quite possible.
Pace vs. spin records in the last 11 T20s: Pace bowlers the big wicket-takers
Pace bowlers have taken 98 wickets in this period. This includes five 4-wicket hauls and one 5-wicket haul. Ben Dwarshuis (6) is one of the top wicket-takers on this ground since 2021, and he could line up in the fourth T20I of the 2025 series against India.
Spinners have picked up 29 wickets at a lower economy rate of 7.77. In contrast to pace bowlers, the spinners haven’t picked up the big wickets, with neither a four or five-wicket haul since the start of 2021.
Pace vs. spin comparison in last 11 T20s at Carrara Oval Gold Coast:
Pace
Spin
98 wickets
29 wickets
Average: 20.40
Average: 29.86
Economy: 8.19
Economy: 7.77
Four-wicket hauls: 5
Four-wicket hauls: 0
Five-wicket hauls: 1
Five-wicket hauls: 0
All statistics in this article have been checked and verified via ESPNcricinfo, Bigbashboard and Cricmetric.
Australia have named their squad for the first Test of the 2025/26 Ashes series. Marnus Labuschagne returns after he was dropped before the West Indies Tests earlier this year. Labuschagne has been rewarded for his excellent form for Queensland across the Sheffield Shield and Australian One Day Cup.
Sam Konstas has not been included. The incumbent opener had a tough tour of the Caribbean, managing just 50 runs at 8.33 in the three Tests. He also has had a slow start to the Sheffield Shield season.
Australia 15-man squad for 1st Ashes Test in Perth
Squad: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
Steve Smith will captain in Pat Cummins’ absence. Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott have been selected as the backup fast bowlers in the squad, while opener Jake Weatherald has also been picked.
“The squad gives us good balance and, with 14 of those chosen playing the next round of Sheffield Shield, we will continue to gather information as we move closer to the start of the first Test,” Bailey said in a statement, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
Weatherald could make his Test debut. However, this depends on Cameron Green’s bowling capacity. If Green, who has bowled just four overs in competitive cricket this season, does get more overs under his belt, he could move to number six. This would then mean Beau Webster misses out.
Elsewhere, Doggett has been rewarded once again for his consistent Sheffield Shield form. Doggett, who took an 11-wicket haul in last season’s final, made a successful return from a hamstring injury by taking 6/48 against Western Australia.
“It was obviously my first hit-out of the season with the red ball, I guess the timing was perfect to take a six-for,” Doggett told reporters on Tuesday.
“I have been waiting for this for a long time so I feel like if I do get a call to join that squad, I’ll be ready. We’ll see what happens.”
Mitchell Starc has issued a warning to England’s fast bowlers ahead of the upcoming Ashes series. The visitors arrive to Australia with a group of pace bowlers who can notch speeds upwards of 145km/h – a trait they have often lacked in Ashes series gone by. However, Starc said that Australian pitches will take getting used to.
“It goes unspoken a bit or it’s underrated how the firmness of wickets here are completely different to England,” Starc told AAP earlier this year, as quoted by cricket.com.au. “Physically, bowling in England is a lot easier.”
Brett Lee says England must go all out despite Mitchell Starc warning
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are crucial to England’s hopes. However, both have endured wretched runs with injury over the years.
Archer debuted in the 2019 Ashes, making an immediate impression. But, he has played just 11 Tests since. It has been a similar story for Wood, who has just 35 Tests under his belt since debuting in 2015.
“You have the Dukes ball that moves around for 80 overs and does more off the seam. The wickets are softer under foot,” Starc said.
“You come to Australia and at times it’s like bowling on (concrete). It’s rock hard, your body feels it a lot more. It takes a little bit to get used to, it takes a bit of hardening to get through five Tests here.
“They [England] are going to have the depth to bowl really fast. Have they got the depth on firmer surfaces with a Kookaburra ball that doesn’t do the same for as long as a Dukes ball. That’s conditions-based as well.”
Despite those injury concerns, former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee says England must play both Archer and Wood. He says their pace and contrasting styles can work wonders.
“If England are going to win this series, they have to play Mark Wood and Jofra Archer. It’s as simple as that,” Lee said, as quoted by ABC News.
“You need them to rip in and try to disturb the Australian top order. Because there is a lot of conjecture over who they pick at the top of the order.
“They’re different styles of bowlers. Mark Wood is all out. He has a massive heart, puts his team first, got a beautiful action. It’s like poetry watching him run in.
“Then you have Jofra Archer who is more of a shoulder-power bowler and gets that really good bump off the crease and trajectory off the wicket.”
Kerry O’Keeffe has similar view to Brett Lee
It is a view shared by Kerry O’Keeffe. In an exclusive interview for CricBlog last month, O’Keeffe said England will frontload Wood and Archer in an attempt to start the series well.
“I’m sure if Wood’s fit he’ll play Perth, Archer will play Perth and probably Gus Atkinson plays Perth,” O’Keeffe said.
“And then see what the result is there. Go to the day-nighter in Brisbane. If they’ve all pulled up well, they all go again. And then if England do lead, if it’s 1-all or England lead 2-0, then they can strategise. If Australia lead 2-0, then there’s panic stations.”
The first Test begins on November 21 at Perth’s Optus Stadium. England, who haven’t won a Test in Australia since 2011, are aiming to make a strong start in their quest to regain the coveted urn.
Fans have taken to social media as soon as the clock struck midnight to wish Virat Kohli a happy 37th birthday. Affectionately known as “King Kohli”, the batsman has delivered many memorable moments across formats in his illustrious career. This year alone, he won that elusive IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), helped India win the Champions Trophy, and reminded everyone he still has something to offer in ODIs.
Speaking of ODIs, only Sachin Tendulkar has more runs than Kohli’s 14,255. While breaking Tendulkar’s run tally of 18,426 won’t transpire, Kohli’s 51 centuries, average of 57.71 and chasing masterclasses are key parts of his legacy.
Tributes flow for Virat Kohli on his 37th birthday
In addition to ODIs, Kohli struck 9,230 Test runs. Despite a lean final few years in the whites, Kohli will go down as one of India’s greatest Test batters and captains, inspiring both current and future Indian teams to never take a backward step.
His 4,188 T20I runs are laden with memorable knocks, none more so than Mohali in the 2016 World Cup and the MCG in 2022. He is also just 339 runs away from 9,000 in the IPL, and fans are hoping he will don the RCB jersey for at least one more season.
“For the man who turned passion into poetry and fire into faith,” wrote RCBTweets on X (formerly Twitter). “The game is richer because of you.”
“Happy Birthday to the GOAT, Virat Kohli! A legend whose passion, consistency, and hunger have redefined modern cricket,” wrote another fan.
Here are some of the reactions to Virat Kohli’s 37th birthday.
For the man who turned passion into poetry and fire into faith. 🔥
Happy 3️⃣7️⃣th Birthday to, 👑 The King, 🔥 The Run Machine, 🏏 The Chase Master, 🥶 The Clutch God, 🐐 The G.O.A.T 🫶 Virat Prem Kohli 🥰
– 14,255 ODI runs. – 57.7 ODI average. – 9,230 Test runs. – 8,661 IPL runs. – 4,188 T20i runs. – 82 international hundreds. – World Cup winner. – 2x CT winner. – T20 World Cup winner. – IPL winner.
– ODI WC winner – T20 WC winner – Champions Trophy winner – U19 WC winner – 27673 Runs – 82 Hundreds – 52.21 Average – First Player to complete 50 Hundreds in ODI – POTM in T20 WC final – Greatest Indian Test Captain
A legend whose passion, consistency, and hunger have redefined modern cricket.
– Most ODI centuries in history – 51 – Over 25,000 international runs across formats – Fastest to 8k, 9k, 10k, 11k, and 12k ODI runs – ICC ODI Player of… pic.twitter.com/sdOB5EPLMU
Virat Kohli – A name that defines passion, Dominance & Aura. He's the Biggest Brand in cricket, the emotion for Billions. His records & his legacy is unmatched. The face of Cricket.
More than 200 players won CWC More than 300 players won U19 WC More than 150 players won CT More than 100 players won WT20 More than 368 players won test mace More than 450 players won IPL Only Virat Kohli has won it all.#HappyBirthdayViratKohlipic.twitter.com/xdGrMCqoQC
Virat Kohli is not just my favourite cricketer anymore. It's much more than that. Watching him bat gives me immense joy, and I'm glad to have watched your entire career. You're the greatest ever to touch the bat in all 3 formats for me. ❤️
It is the nature of the international cricket calendar that West Indies can be in Bangladesh one day and then in New Zealand a few days later. The Windies won the T20I series over in Bangladesh, but the polar opposite conditions will make this a tough initiation.
For New Zealand, inclement weather in Mount Maunganui, Christchurch and Mount Maunganui has disrupted their T20 World Cup preparations. They will be keen to get some momentum going after recent defeats to Australia and England. The bowlers in particular would have gained some confidence from thumping England 3-0 in the recemt ODI series.
Preparations for this match has been limited given the short turnaround for both teams. A good start in the powerplay is vital as the ground dimensions at Eden Park can make it very difficult for the bowling team to catch up.
NZ vs WI 1st T20 2025 Possible Playing XIs
Tim Seifert is out of this series with a broken finger, as confirmed by ESPNcricinfo. Devon Conway is likely to take his place at the top of the order. Kane Williamson has officially retired from T20Is.
New Zealand: 1. Devon Conway (wk), 2. Tim Robinson, 3. Rachin Ravindra, 4. Mark Chapman, 5. Daryl Mitchell, 6. Michael Bracewell, 7. James Neesham, 8. Mitchell Santner (c), 9. Kyle Jamieson, 10. Zak Foulkes, 11. Jacob Duffy
Gudakesh Motie is not in the squad, but West Indies have cover in terms of left-arm spin.
The weather has not been too kind for T20Is in New Zealand in recent weeks. However, good conditions are forecast for this match with clear conditions and a top of 24 degrees.
In the last five completed T20Is at Eden park, the average first innings score is 183.6 at an overall run rate of 10.27. The team batting first has won three of these games.
In T20Is since the start of 2023, fast bowlers have taken 53 wickets on this ground at an average of 22.96 and economy of 9.45. Spinners average 30.44 at an economy of 10.27; a tough ground given the very small boundaries.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for NZ vs WI 1st T20 2025: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Top wicket-keeper picks:
Shai Hope is a top pick in this match, selected in 83.43% of Dream11 teams. He looked in fine touch in both the Bangladesh T20Is and ODIs. However, he will have to adjust to Auckland conditions as quickly as possible.
Devon Conway will be looking to make a strong impression. He has 217 runs in six innings at Eden Park at an average of 43.40 and strike rate of 140.90.
Key batter picks:
Rachin Ravindra bats in the top three and is coming off decent form in the England ODIs (46 and 54 in his last two innings). A genuine Dream11 captaincy option.
Daryl Mitchell is also in fine touch with scores of 78*, 56* and 44 in the England ODIs. In five T20I innings at Eden Park, Mitchell has scored 156 runs at an average of 31.20 and strike rate of 173.33. This includes two fifties.
Top all-rounder picks:
West Indies are likely to fetch a lot of their fantasy points through their all-rounders. Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder will provide overs (it is also possible they will bowl in the crunch overs given the makeup of their squad). Both can also hit a long ball down the order.
Mitchell Santner has 10 wickets in nine T20I innings against West Indies (avg. 20.40, SR 15.60). He also strikes every 22.33 deliveries at Eden Park.
Key bowler picks:
Jacob Duffy has taken five wickets in two T20I innings at Eden Park. Duffy was also in the wickets in the England series.
Zak Foulkes can test the West Indies as they look to adjust to very different batting conditions. Like Duffy, Foulkes has been in the wickets recently.
Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams
Akeal Hosein is picked in 77.65% of Dream11 teams, but you can leave him out of your team if you wish to take a risk. Spinners haven’t had the best of times in recent years at Eden Park.
Jayden Seales can test the Black Caps top order with his ability to swing the new ball. Also, expect Seales to bowl in the death overs, which can bring about wicket-taking opportunities.
Tall quick Kyle Jamieson can extract bounce off the surface and test a Windies lineup that is coming off Bangladeshi conditions.
Michael Bracewell and Roston Chase are two spinning all-rounders that can provide all-round value in fantasy. Picking one is probably ideal, depending on who bats first.
Rovman Powell can provide the fireworks on a small ground. He is striking at 184.2 between overs 16 and 20 in all T20s this year.
Tim Robinson hit a recent T20I century against Australia and will bat up the order. A worthwhile option to consider for fantasy cricket.
Other Stats and Facts
Head-to-head in T20Is: Matches 20, New Zealand 11, West Indies 7, N/R 2.
New Zealand lead West Indies 8-1 in home T20Is.
James Neesham has seven wickets in five innings at Eden Park and has a good batting record against West Indies: 8 inns, 138 runs, avg. 34.50, SR 162.48.
NZ vs WI 1st T20 2025 Dream11 Prediction
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.
Option 1:
NZ vs WI 1st T20 2025 Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
NZ vs WI 1st T20 2025 Dream11 Prediction
NZ vs WI 1st T20 2025 Match Prediction: Who will win?
New Zealand to win.
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo and Cricmetric.
Steve Smith says he hopes he will be respected by Australian cricket fans after he retires. In an exclusive interview for Fox Cricket ahead of the Ashes, Smith shed light on some of the happiest and toughest moments of his career to date.
One of the questions asked by Mark Howard was how Smith would like to be remembered once he hangs up the boots from Test cricket. The great batsman, who currently has 10,477 runs at 56.02, says he hopes to have had a positive impact on people despite the controversies of the past.
Steve Smith hopes to be respected by Australian fans after he retires
“I’m not sure, I guess respected,” Smith said. “Hopefully that I’ve been able to have an impact on loads of results and you hear a lot of people say they try to leave the game in a better place than when they started and hopefully I’ve been able to do that along the period and help some young players come through.
“It’s a difficult question to answer, but respected is the word I’d look at.”
During the interview, Smith also revealed the learnings from Sandpapergate in 2018. He came back stronger than ever in 2019, putting together one of the greatest individual performances in an Ashes series.
“To have a close group of people to speak to and have honest conversations… I think that’s really important,” Smith said. “I guess being kind to yourself as well, so many things can go through your mind… just being kind to yourself and saying everything will be OK is important.
“People go through different phases in their life and difficult periods and stuff… having people or person you can speak to is important to help you get through difficult moments.”
Smith geared up for the 2025/26 Ashes series with a century for New South Wales against Queensland in the Sheffield Shield last week. Australia’s number four will be crucial to the team’s chances against England given the uncertainty around the top three plus Smith’s incredible record as captain and against England as a whole.
Smith, with 3,417 runs, is only behind Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Jack Hobbs and Allan Border in terms of runs in Ashes Tests. Also, Smith will lead the team in Pat Cummins’ absence, and embraces the role of captaincy. He has a batting average of 68.98 in 40 Tests as skipper compared to 49.90 in his remaining 79 matches.
Brendon McCullum says England need to get better on pitches offering movement for the bowlers. However, the head coach believes this is an issue his team faces more in ODI cricket as they struggle to get the tempo right in the 50-over format.
England were swept 3-0 in New Zealand. Their batting lineup struggled significantly on seaming pitches. The top four contributed just 84 runs altogether – the fewest runs by a top four in an ODI men’s series where they batted at least three times.
“I think when we’re confronted with good, flat wickets, we’re a very, very good cricket team,” McCullum said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “I think we play a high-octane style of cricket and those conditions suit us. When the wickets have a little bit in them and they’re a bit more challenging, whether that be spin or seam or swing, we probably can’t quite adapt our tempo quick enough.
“We’ve got some talented players. But, unfortunately, our performances at the moment in this form of the game aren’t quite up to scratch and we need to rectify that.”
New Zealand ODIs not a concern heading into the Ashes – Brendon McCullum
McCullum doesn’t think England’s batting on seaming surfaces is a concern ahead of the Ashes. The head coach believes England’s Test side has adjusted to different conditions better than the ODI side has.
“I like to separate it,” McCullum said. “I think in T20 cricket we’re going really well and in Test cricket we have a pretty decent idea of where we’re at – and I think we’ve performed reasonably well, albeit we have a huge challenge ahead of us.
“One-day cricket is clearly the area we need to improve, and my comments are more directed at one-day cricket. I think when we do come across the trickier conditions in Australia and Test cricket, we have a pretty good understanding of how we’re going to go about it. It doesn’t guarantee us anything but it gives us a level of confidence going into that series.”
McCullum explains the key to performing well in the Ashes
How well England cope against the red ball in Australian conditions remains to be seen. Pitches in Australia have assisted the fast bowlers in recent years. This was especially the case at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) against India in January.
Also, a number of England players are unproven in Australian conditions. However, it is a challenge McCullum is looking forward to.
“I’m proper excited [about the Ashes],” McCullum said. “We’re incredibly respectful of the challenge Australia is going to present us. We know how hard that tour is going to be.
“It’s going to require a team to stay together right throughout, to be as strong as we can to try and block out any of the outside noise. But we’re very respectful of who we’re coming up against. We’re so excited to get over there and we can’t wait to get started.”
The first Ashes Test gets underway at Perth’s Optus Stadium on November 21.
After a drawn Test series and Pakistan victory in the T20Is, attention turns to ODI cricket with a view towards 2027. Pakistan, led now by Shaheen Shah Afridi, are aiming to improve their 50-over cricket after very disappointing performances in the Champions Trophy and West Indies earlier this year.
The hosts take on a South Africa team missing a number of first-team players. However, they welcome back Quinton de Kock who previously reversed his decision to retire from ODIs. The keeper-batsman will provide some much-needed experience in a squad that does include plenty of exciting talent including Dewald Brevis and Corbin Bosch.
Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad hosts its first ODI since way back in 2008. Pakistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets over 17 years ago. Thankfully the weather will be nice and clear, and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s team are aiming for a happy homecoming to Faislabad.
PAK vs SA 1st ODI 2025 Possible Playing XIs
Abdullah Shafique and Hasan Ali, who both played in Pakistan’s last ODI, are not in the squad.
Pakistan: 1. Fakhar Zaman, 2. Saim Ayub, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5. Salman Agha, 6. Hasan Nawaz, 7. Hussain Talat/Faheem Ashraf, 8. Mohammad Nawaz, 9. Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), 10. Naseem Shah, 11. Abrar Ahmed
Sinethemba Qeshile has been in good form recently and is a chance of earning an ODI debut.
South Africa: 1. Tony de Zorzi, 2. Quinton de Kock (wk), 3. Matthew Breetzke (c), 4. Sinethemba Qeshile/Donovan Ferreira, 5. Dewald Brevis, 6. Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 7. Corbin Bosch, 8. George Linde, 9. Bjorn Fortuin, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Nandre Burger
Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad Pitch Report and Weather
As mentioned, this will be the first ODI on this ground since 2008. Based on the List A matches last year, Faisalabad is typically a high-scoring ground where the team batting first often wins.
In 17 List A matches across the Champions Cup and President’s Cup Grade-I (1-Day) in October 2024, the average first innings score was 286.71 at a run rate of 5.88. The team batting first won 12 matches. No team successfully chased 200+ in these matches.
A warm and clear day is forecast with a top temperature of 30 degrees. There is the possibility of dew in the second innings.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for PAK vs SA 1st ODI 2025: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Top wicket-keeper picks:
Quinton de Kock has endured a poor return to international cricket with scores of 1, 23, 7 and 0 in T20Is against Namibia and Pakistan. However, he can benefit from the extra time in ODIs in good batting conditions.
In 16 ODIs against Pakistan, de Kock has 590 runs at an average of 36.87 and strike rate of 88.19.
Mohammad Rizwan will be proactive in the middle order. Pakistan’s number four has 343 ODI runs against the Proteas at an average of 42.87 and strike rate of 88.86. He hit 122* in the last meeting.
Key batter picks:
Babar Azam is looking to build on confidence from the T20I series. He struck scores of 76 (79) and 104* (100) on this ground in the 2024 Champions One Day Cup.
Babar also has an excellent ODI record against South Africa: 15 inns, 744 runs, avg. 57.23, SR 85.32. This includes six fifties and a century.
Matthew Breetzke had a horror T20I series, but he returns to a format he has had great success in this year (467 runs, avg. 77.83, four fifties, one hundred). This includes scores of 150 and 83 in two ODIs in Pakistan.
Top all-rounder picks:
Saim Ayub is picked in 83.99% of Dream11 teams as he can provide fireworks against an inexperienced Proteas attack. Ayub is a potential captaincy option in Dream11 if Pakistan bats second.
Corbin Bosch is a hit-the-deck bowler who will look to trouble the Pakistani middle and lower order in particular. Bosch was in the runs and wickets in the T20I series, and he offers excellent value from a fantasy point of view.
Mohammad Nawaz dismissed de Zorzi, Brevis and Ferreira during the T20Is. He will get through his overs and provides a valuable batting option down the order.
Key bowler picks:
Shaheen Shah Afridi has a good matchup against Quinton de Kock. Not only has he dismissed him in T20Is, but he has also dismissed him three times in ODIs (84 balls, 87 runs). Afridi has also dismissed Tony de Zorzi twice in 53 balls (57 runs).
Lungi Ngidi is the experienced player in South Africa’s bowling lineup, but has some poor matchups (see below). Can he overcome them? His changes of pace can bring about some wicket-taking opportunities.
Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams
Nandre Burger went wicketless in the ODIs, but he is worth considering as he bowls in the crunch overs.
Abrar Ahmed is worth a pick if Pakistan bowl first. He can find spin either way and challenge and inexperienced Proteas lineup.
Tony de Zorzi has been in decent form of late and can benefit from good batting conditions at the top of the order.
Salman Agha struck 134 (103) in a man of the match performance against South Africa earlier this year.
Dewald Brevis made starts in the final two T20Is and will look to carry on here. He is a good spin-hitter and these batting conditions can suit his style.
Other Stats and Important Matchups
Head-to-head: Matches 87, Pakistan 34, South Africa 52, N/R 1.
Saim Ayub averages 60.1 batting second compared to 36.2 batting first in ODIs.
Lungi Ngidi vs Fakhar Zaman in ODIs: 44 balls, 59 runs, no dismissal.
Lungi Ngidi vs Babar Azam in ODIs: 52 balls, 63 runs, no dismissal.
Corbin Bosch vs Mohammad Rizwan in ODIs: 25 balls, 35 runs, no dismissal.
Corbin Bosch has enjoyed success against Babar Azam in T20Is (14 balls, 21 runs, two wickets). Can he do the same in ODIs?
PAK vs SA 1st ODI 2025 Dream11 Prediction
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.
Option 1:
PAK vs SA 1st ODI 2025 Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
PAK vs SA 1st ODI 2025 Dream11 Prediction
PAK vs SA 1st ODI 2025 Match Prediction: Who will win?
Pakistan to win.
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo and Cricmetric.
There are more changes to Australia’s squad for the ongoing T20I series against India. All members of Australia’s likely first Ashes Test squad will feature in the fourth round of the Sheffield Shield. Hence, the hosts will field a changed lineup for the fourth T20 against India at Gold Coast’s Carrara Oval.
Travis Head has left the T20I squad. He will play for South Australia against Tamania in Hobart, as confirmed by cricket.com.au. That match begins on November 10 and is the final round of the Sheffield Shield before the Ashes begins in Perth on November 21.
Australia set for changes in the 4th T20 against India
Australia possible 11 for 4th T20: 1. Mitchell Marsh (c), 2. Matt Short, 3. Josh Inglis (wk), 4. Tim David, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Mitch Owen, 8. Xavier Bartlett, 9. Ben Dwarshuis, 10. Nathan Ellis, 11. Adam Zampa/Matt Kuhnemman/Tanveer Sangha
Matt Short, who is a specialist opener in T20 cricket, is likely to replace Travis Head at the top of the order.
If fit, Glenn Maxwell will slot in the middle order. The all-rounder missed the Hobart T20I as Australia took a cautious approach giving him more time to recover from the wrist injury he suffered during the recent tour of New Zealand.
“He appears likely to be back for the fourth match in the series on the Gold Coast on Thursday,” read a cricket.com.au report. Josh Philippe is also in the squad and will likely play if Maxwell is ruled out.
The aforementioned publication also reports that Adam Zampa is an outside chance of featuring in the series. He is currently at home near Byron Bay as his wife is due to give birth to their second child. As both of the final matches are in Queensland, Zampa could feature in either (or both) if circumstances permit.
Legspinner Tanveer Sangha was also released from the T20I squad to play for New South Wales in the One Day Cup match against Queensland on Monday. He is expected to return to the squad ahead of the fourth T20I and could feature in the XI.
On the pace-bowling front, Ben Dwarshuis is now in the squad after recovering from a calf injury. He could replace Sean Abbott who had a difficult outing in the third T20I. 20-year-old Mahli Beardman is also an option. If picked, it will be the fast bowler’s international debut.
The series is currently locked at 1-1 after India sealed a convincing five-wicket win in Hobart on Sunday. Gold Coast (Thursday November 6) and the Gabba in Brisbane (Saturday November 8) will host the final two matches.
The 2025 Online Gaming Bill put an end to fantasy cricket as we knew it. The bill was introduced due to the financial risk involved with players investing money to join paid contests to play fantasy sports.
“It is the duty of the government and the parliament to take strict action against social evils, which keep erupting time and again,” federal IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in parliament back in August, as quoted by Reuters.
Currently, fans can still play fantasy cricket via free contests on Dream11. The platform is offering prizes including cash and smartphones. There is the presence of third-party ads on the Dream11 app which assists in revenue-generation.
Can there be a subscription model for Dream11 and fantasy cricket under the 2025 Online Gaming Bill?
However, one prominent question is whether fantasy cricket can operate as a subscription model under the law.
Sports lawyer Vidushpat Singhania shed light on this. He said that a subscription model is permissable under 2025 Online Gaming Bill as it’s the real money gaming that has been banned.
“There will be a subscription fee and say you pay Rs 100 for a gaming app and test your skills in fantasy gaming,” Singhania told PTI earlier in 2025, as quoted by The Economic Times. “But real money gaming which is paying and earning money, that is prohibited as per this bill.”
Previously, players could invest money in as many contests for as many cricket matches as they wanted to. However, this led to addictions and financial harm, which is why the 2025 Online Gaming Bill was introduced. Dream11 shut down its real-money gaming (RMG) business as a result.
Under a prospective subscription model, fantasy cricket players can invest one set amount per month. They can then play in matches that the platform allows them to depending on their investment. Time will tell as to whether this does eventuate.
