ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier: IRE vs HKG Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Team And Preview

14 teams from different continents will contest each other in the Qualifiers of the World T20 2020 tournament in Australia. The qualifiers will commence with Hong Kong facing Ireland in the first match of this tourney. Ireland would be a strong contender to proceed to the next round, as the experience that they have gained having played international cricket in abundance over the years would come in very handy during this particular match. However, Hong Kong wouldn’t be any pushovers and could surely put up a decent fight as well.

Match Details: 

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier

Ireland vs Hong Kong

Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

October 18th, 2019

3:40 PM IST

Weather Report: 

Mostly sunny weather with the temperature ranging around 33 degrees Celsius and no chances of rain is expected during the course of the game.

Pitch Report: 

As it is the the first match of the qualifying tournament, the track could be banked upon to be fresh and hence the batsmen could make merry as stroke-making could be relatively easier over there.

Predicted Playing XI:

Hong Kong:

Nizakat Khan and Waqas Barkat would form the core of Hong Kong’s batting order whilst the likes of Aizaz Khan and Scott McKechnie would add further quality to the lineup later on. Kyle Christie and Nasrulla Rana would be the key bowlers for his side.

Nizakat Khan, Ahsan Abbasi, Kinchit Shah, Waqas Barkat, Haroon Arshad, Aizaz Khan (C), Scott McKechnie (WK), Shahid Wasif, Ehsan Khan, Kyle Christie, Nasrulla Rana

Ireland:

Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie would be expected to steer the innings right from the top. Kevin O Brien could be extremely productive at the top as he could attain maximum benefits of the field restriction overs. Boyd Rankin would hold the key with the ball for the Irishmen.

Paul Stirling, Kevin O Brien, Andy Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Gary Wilson (c & wk), Mark Adair, Gareth Delany, Simi Singh, Stuart Thompson, George Dockrell, Boyd Rankin

Top Picks: 

Hong Kong recently participated in the Oman Pentangular series and a couple of their bowlers fared pretty well in that competition.  Ehsan Khan bagged  four wickets and hence would be advisably be a good pick in this Dream XI side as well. Haroon Arshad scored runs at an average of 66 too in that tournament, and hence looks to be in a good enough touch to be drafted in the fantasy team. Kevin O Brien notched a quickfire 124 runs the last time these two sides met in a T20 match, and whilst opening the batting now, would find more such opportunities to score runs at a quicker rate. He should be a must-pick in the team. Paul Stirling is someone who can accumulate a considerable number of points through his brisk way of scoring, hence, his inclusion would be wise as well.

Captaincy Options: 

1: Kevin O Brien

2: Andrew Balbirnie

3: George Dockrell

Dream XI & Points Projection:

S McKenhie, Points: 28-30, Grade: B

K O Brien, Points: 88-90, Grade: A

P Stirling, Points: 44-46, Grade: A

A Balbirnie, Points: 64-66, Grade: A

H Arshad, Points: 36-38, Grade: B

K Shah, Points: 40-42, Grade: A

G Delany, Points: 50-52, Grade: A

G Dockrell, Points: 54-56, Grade: A

E Khan, Points: 44-46, Grade: A

B Rankin, Points: 48-50, Grade: A

M Adair, Points: 44-46, Grade: A

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.