Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

Singapore T20 Tri-Series Match 1: NEP vs ZIM Preview Dream11 & MyTeam11 Prediction. Nepal vs Zimbabwe T20I Dream11 Prediction

Note: This match will be broadcast on Singapore Cricket’s YouTube channel.

The Singapore T20I Tri-Series kicks off on Friday. The two sides, Nepal and Zimbabwe, who play the tournament opener, will be wondering just how different 2019 could have been.

Nepal missed out on qualification to the World T20 Qualifier after losing the Asia Region Final to Singapore in July. Nevertheless, this is an opportunity for Nepal to make a mark in T20I Cricket.

They come up against Zimbabwe, who recently enjoyed their best moment of 2019 thanks to Hamilton Maskadza’s magnificent farewell against Afghanistan in Chattogram. Otherwise, it has been a tough year, unable to participate in the upcoming World T20 Qualifier due to their ICC-imposed suspension. Will they prove they are steps ahead of Nepal in this match?

Also read: Will Rohit Sharma succeed as a Test opener?

Key to a Nepal win

Paras Khadka, Nepal’s inspirational captain, has been a prolific run scorer throughout his career to date. As his nation’s leading T20I run scorer with 507, he has a vital role to play in giving Nepal a strong avenue into their innings. Pawan Sarraf also has a key role to play, enabling the likes of Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee and Sompal Kami to build on a strong platform against Zimbabwe’s mix of youth and experience.

With the ball, eyes will be on Sandeep Lamichhane. The talented leg-spinner has made a mark in T20 Leagues around the globe, and will be key today against a side that can struggle against spin. His performance in his last T20I (vs Singapore) would have been a let down for him, so he needs to lead the way today. However, much also rests on the likes of Sompal Kami, who has 23 wickets in 21 matches, against a Zimbabwe lineup missing the experience of Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza and Craig Ervine.

Key to a Zimbabwe win

Much of Zimbabwe’s T20 struggles originate from their batting, often unable to string together complete batting performances across all stages of an innings. It was often the case in the recent Bangladesh Tri-Series, where they only won their last match thanks mainly to Hamilton Masakadza. However, Masakadza (retired) is no longer around, and with Taylor and Ervine also unavailable, it is time for some of the fringe players – such as Brian Chari and Regis Chakabva to make a mark at the top, along with skipper Sean Williams. With the likes of Tinotenda Mutombodzi and Richmond Mutumbami showing good form in Bangladesh, it is vital that Zimbabwe’s top order give them a platform to play off.

Also, the experienced Kyle Jarvis is unavailable for this series. The likes of Richard Ngarava and Wellington Masakadza have been drafted in, which places onus on the experienced Tendai Chatara to lead the attack well. However, Chatara alone won’t be enough, as Zimbabwe will need to bowl well as a unit against a side that has four T20s worth of experience at the Indian Association Ground in Singapore. Importantly, can the spinners, including Ryan Burl and Sean Williams, outplay Nepal’s?

Possible Playing 11

Nepal could look at playing Sundeep Jora. The 17-year old became the youngest player to score a T20I fifty earlier in 2019.

Nepal: 1. Paras Khadka (c), 2. Pawan Sarraf, 3. Dipendra Singh Airee, 4. Aarif Sheikh, 5. Sundeep Jora, 6. Rohit Paudel, 7. Binod Bhandari (wk), 8. Karan KC, 9. Sompal Kami, 10. Sandeep Lamicchanne, 11. Abinash Bohara

Zimbabwe are set for quite a few changes from their last T20I against Afghanistan.

Zimbabwe: 1. Brian Chari, 2. Regis Chakabva (wk), 3. Sean Williams (c), 4. Peter Moor, 5. Tinotenda Mutombodzi, 6. Ryan Burl, 7. Richmond Mutumbami, 8. Wellington Masakadza, 9. Neville Madziva, 10. Tendai Chatara, 11. Daniel Jakiel/Tony Munyonga

Pitch and Conditions

Scores of 180+ have been achieved in three of the past five games at the Indian Association Ground. However, whoever wins the toss won’t have a straightforward decision as there are thunderstorms predicted around the game’s start time. Expect a delayed start and a pitch with a little moisture in it. It could be a bowl-first situation.

Stats and Facts

• This match will be broadcast on Singapore Cricket’s YouTube channel.
• This will be the first time Nepal and Zimbabwe meet in an international.
• Nepal have played four T20s at the Indian Association Ground in Singapore (two wins, two losses). This will be Zimbabwe’s first match at this ground
• Zimbabwe have won just two of their past 18 T20Is.
• Nepal lost their last T20I heavily to Singapore (82 runs).

Fantasy Cricket Prediction

Also read: MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which Fantasy Platform is better for you?

*Awaiting Ryan Burl to be added to the Fantasy Platforms

MyTeam11 (regular) Prediction: Peter Moor (wk), Brian Chari, Richmond Mutumbami, Paras Khadka, Sean Williams (c), Sompal Kami, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Tendai Chatara (vc), K Karan, Sandeep Lamichhane

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Zimbabwe, despite missing some experience, should still have enough to beat Nepal (weather permitting).

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Will Rohit Sharma succeed as a Test opener?