ICC WC T20 2016 Fantasy Guru Tips: Uncharted 'associate' waters

Differential picks and why they don’t get the Fantasy Guru’s nod

Vusi Sibanda – Not as sensational as Masakadza or as safe as Mutumbami.

While he has notched up 3 40+scores in 7 innings since his comeback, with two of Zimbabwe’s top 3 already in my team, someone has to be left out.

Malcolm Waller – Situational play + competes with Sean Williams

Assume Hong Kong bat first and you are in a lot of trouble with Waller in the side ahead of someone like Mutumbami or Williams. You will have to hope for all of the following things to go your way:

Hong Kong’s shaky batting order needs to put up a total for Waller, coming in at No.4 or 5, to contribute.

The in-form top 3 needs to fail.

Williams shouldn’t get promoted ahead of Waller.

And even if all these happen, Waller shouldn’t throw his wicket away. Too many ifs there for my liking.

Babar Hayat – Loser theory

I don’t like to go overboard on a team that I think is going to lose. Hayat is capable of game-changing knocks as his stats suggest, but seems like a hit-or-miss case – has only 3 50+ scores in 40 games. Add to that two consecutive ducks in his last two innings, I have a bad feeling about this.

Haseeb Amjad – Not the bowler’s game

As stated in the beginning of this article, bowlers are a huge risk in fantasy cricket, more so when you are pitting against the favourites to win the match.

Asghar Stanikzai – Lack of real potential

Since becoming captain and promoting himself, Stanikzai has given steady returns. There is a 49 and 34 in his last 5 innings. Even if he comes off, I don’t think I will be losing much. And I can only have so many players.

Hamid Hassan – Recovery period

The right-arm pacer has ruled associate cricket since his debut; at the same time he is making a comeback after an extended injury lay-off, so I would like to sit on him for now.

Preston Mommsen – Bowling threat

Mommsen has to be Scotland’s best batting bet. But he bats too low (No.6) and is up against a side that has all sorts of variations up its sleeve.

Remember, these are still differential picks, so you can try your luck with any of them. The ones that make me nervous about leaving out are Waller, Hassan and Amjad. There is your clue.

No substitutions have been used so far. Shakib Al Hasan and Sabbir Rahman, two of the most certain picks for the next set of matches, have been added to complete the team.