Last Updated on 3 years by Charbel Coorey

T20 WC 2021 Match 31: PAK vs NAM Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | PAK vs NAM Dream11 Prediction | Pakistan vs Namibia Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

In a rare occurrence, Pakistan are predictable. For once, Pakistan are playing the kind of cricket they are capable of on a consistent basis, producing three strong performance to sit very pretty atop Group 2.

And don’t say they didn’t tell you. Ramiz Raja promised that Pakistan will come out firing in this World Cup after the heartbreak of cancelled tours. Even better, thanks to Asif Ali, Pakistan look to have solved a very important problem that they had before the tournament – relying too much on their openers. Asif’s finishing has been nothing short of outstanding, with four sixes in an over to seal victory in a tight match against Afghanistan.

So, coming up against such a well-rounded outfit is a tough assignment for Namibia. But, this promises to be a great step in the journey. They have been steady with the ball, but it is their batting that will come under the microscope again against an excellent attack. The chance to play against higher-ranked opponents and progress their game is unfortunately limited, so the Namibians will be out to grab this opportunity with both hands especially with a Semi Finals spot still possible.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Pakistan:

• Skipper Babar Azam has struck two half-centuries in three matches in this T20 World Cup. Also, Babar loves batting at Abu Dhabi. He has scored 412 runs in 12 matches on this ground at an average of 45.78 and strike rate of 118.39.
• It was a rare low score for Mohammad Rizwan, who scored just 8 vs Afghanistan (scored 79* and 33 in his previous two matches). Rizwan has had a dream year, amassing 1,582 runs in 39 matches at an average of 56.50 and strike rate of 132.28.
• Rizwan has a steady record in matches at Abu Dhabi. He has scored 213 runs in eight games on this ground at an average of 30.13 and strike rate of 110.36.
• Shoaib Malik has a solid record at Abu Dhabi: 15 T20s, 383 runs, avg. 38.30, SR 139.27. He played a key role in helping Pakistan beat New Zealand two games ago (26* off 20 balls).
• Asif Ali has come of age. He smashed 24* off 12 balls to seal victory vs New Zealand, followed by 25* off seven balls vs Afghanistan, including four sixes. Key finisher.
• Haris Rauf has taken six wickets in three matches in the tournament, including a player of the match 4/22 vs New Zealand. He has taken eight wickets in nine matches on this ground at an economy rate of 8.74.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi will be key at both crunch stages of the innings. The speedster has taken 17 wickets in 12 matches on this ground at an economy rate of 7.46. Also, he is proving very tough to get away in this tournament so far, with five wickets in three matches at an economy rate of just 6.16.

Namibia:

• David Wiese is well known in Pakistani circles thanks to strong performances in the PSL. He was Namibia’s top run-scorer (26) in a tough innings against Afghanistan – part of 142 runs in the campaign for Wiese at an average of 47.33 and strike rate of 135.23.
• Wiese has a solid record overall on this ground: 5 inns, 140 runs, avg. 46.67, SR 130.84, as well as three wickets at an economy rate of 7.22.
• Can Craig Williams impact this game? He averages just 17.90 in 10 T20s on this ground, but has had a solid year in T20Is: 338 runs, avg. 30.72, SR 120.71.
• Gerhard Erasmus has scored just 93 runs in eight matches on this ground at an average of 11.63. It is a big game for the Namibia captain.
• Ruben Trumpelmann has taken five wickets in his last two matches on this ground.
• Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton was impressive against Afghanistan (2/21), and will be looking to back this up with another strong effort on a pitch that can provide turn.
• Jan Frylinck has six wickets in as many matches on this ground. He is Namibia’s top wicket-taker so far in the tournament with seven in five matches.

Stats and Facts

• This will be the first ever T20I between Pakistan and Namibia.
• Pakistan have won their last five T20Is at Abu Dhabi.
• Can Fakhar Zaman turn around a poor record at Abu Dhabi? He has scored just 140 runs in 10 T20s on this ground at an average of 14.00. Mohammad Hafeez, who averages 19.46 in 14 matches, is in a similar boat.

Possible Playing 11

Pakistan could look at making a change or two with their passage to the Semi Finals almost certain.

Pakistan: 1. Babar Azam (c), 2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 3. Fakhar Zaman, 4. Mohammad Hafeez/Haider Ali, 5. Shoaib Malik, 6. Asif Ali, 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Imad Wasim, 9. Hasan Ali/Mohammad Nawaz, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

Namibia are likely to stick with the same XI despite defeat against Afghanistan.

Namibia: 1. Craig Williams, 2. Michael van Lingen, 3. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, 4. Gerhard Erasmus (c), 5. Zane Green (wk), 6. David Wiese, 7. JJ Smit, 8. Jan Frylinck, 9. Pikky Ya France, 10. Ruben Trumpelmann, 11. Bernard Scholtz

Abu Dhabi Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score on this ground in the 2021 T20 World Cup is just 131. The chasing team has won five of those matches, but Afghanistan showed that runs on the board can be difficult to chase.

A warm and clear night is forecast with a chance of dew.

Dream11 Prediction

Alternative platform Fan2Play offers lower credit scores for 11-player fantasy teams. Check out and download the app here.

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

Fan2Play offers lower credit scores for 11-player fantasy teams. Check out and download the app here.

Base team:

• Wicket-keepers: Mohammad Rizwan
• Batsmen: Babar Azam, Craig Williams
• All-rounders: David Wiese, Imad Wasim
• Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali

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• 2nd innings fantasy
• 2-player fantasy teams
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Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?

Match Prediction

Pakistan on current form should win this match and continue their momentum.