Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand and Australia will clash in the all-important final of the 2021 T20 World Cup at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday evening.

Team New Zealand are in yet another final, their 3rd of the last 4 World Cups, after beating the much-fancied England in the semi-final. The Kiwis are on a 5-match winning run and have reached the final for the first time in T20 World Cup history. They will be aiming to lift the cup and win their second major ICC title this year. The loss of Devon Conway due to a hand injury will be a big miss for them here.

On the other hand, Australia Team have proved everyone wrong in this World Cup by reaching the final. The unbeaten partnership between Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade steered the team to a 5-wicket victory against Pakistan in the semi-final. This is their second T20I World Cup final after a loss in 2010. Australia have never won a T20 World Cup and will look to add the only white-ball trophy missing from their cabinet this time.

Match Details

• Game: New Zealand vs. Australia, Final
• Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
• Date & Time: Nov. 14, 2021, at 7:30 PM IST/6 PM Local

Probable Playing XI

New Zealand

Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (C), Tim Seifert (WK), Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult

Australia

Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Weather Report

The weather in Dubai is predicted to be a little cooler, with the temperature expected to be around 29 degrees during the match.

Pitch Report

Although the pitches in Dubai have traditionally favored pace bowlers, there has been help for the spinners too. Batters have struggled to score against the new ball consistently. Wickets in hand for the second half of the innings might be the way to go here. The average first-innings score in the last 12 matches played here has been 126 runs.

Toss

The team batting second has won 11 of the 12 matches played in the tournament here. The pitch tends to get a little better to bat on as the evening progresses. Since putting a total on the board is proving to be a more difficult task, bowling first is a preferable option. That being said, a target of above 180 runs can be a competitive one in a knockout situation.

Top Fantasy Picks

Wicketkeeper

• Matthew Wade played an amazing knock under pressure in the second semi-final by scoring 41* runs from just 17 balls, hitting 3 consecutive sixes to finish the game against Pakistan. He has scored 74 runs in three innings, getting dismissed only once. Moreover, Wade is good behind the stumps and would be a good addition to the fantasy team.

Batters

• Martin Guptill has been a little inconsistent in this tournament so far. Apart from his match-winning innings of 93 runs against Scotland, he has a high score of 28 from the other five matches. He is the second-highest run scorer for New Zealand, with 180 runs in six matches. Guptill is comfortable playing both spin and pace and can hit big shots later in the innings.
• David Warner has been outstanding for Australia at the top of the order in this World Cup. Including his 49-run innings in the last match, he had made 236 runs in six matches at an average of 47.2 and strike rate of 148.42, including 2 half centuries. He will look to make a big impact in this final.

All-rounder

• Daryl Mitchell has easily been the surprise package of the tournament. Opening for the first time in T20Is, he has scored 197 runs at an average of 39.4 and a strike rate of 140.71. His winning knock of 72* against England in the semi-final took the team to their first-ever T20 World Cup final. Expect him to continue his good form in this crucial final match too.

Bowlers

• Trent Boult has been New Zealand’s most successful bowler in this World Cup, with 11 wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 6.54. Although he was expensive in the semi-final against England, conceding 40 runs without a wicket, he remains a big wicket-taking option with the new ball. Expect him to give his team a big advantage early on.
• Adam Zampa has been brilliant with the ball in the tournament so far. On pitches generally favorable to spin, he has performed well, taking 12 wickets in the middle overs at an impressive economy rate of just 5.69. His best figures of 5/19 came against Bangladesh at this same venue.

Howzat Dream Team

• Wicketkeeper: M Wade
• Batters: D Warner, M Guptill, G Phillips
• All-rounders: G Maxwell, M Marsh, D Mitchell 
• Bowlers: M Starc, A Zampa, I Sodhi, T Boult

• Captain: G Maxwell/M Starc
• Vice Captain: M Guptill/I Sodhi

NOTE: The Howzat dream team above is just a suggestion. You can select your own team from today’s match predictions and play all the fantasy cricket matches from the T20 World Cup. Also, don’t forget to make any necessary changes to your team once the actual playing 11 is announced by each team (30 minutes before the start of the match) as some players you have selected might not be part of the team suggested.

Get fantasy cricket tips on your favorite fantasy sports app and select your own team, Howzat!