ENG vs AFG Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips & Playing XI Updates for Today's Cricket World Cup Match - June 18th, 2019

In what looks to be a potential lop-sided encounter on Tuesday in the ongoing 2019 World Cup, hosts and hot favourites England play Afghanistan as they former look to continue their charge towards a semi-final spot at the expense of the Asian side.

England have won three out of their four games thus far with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood leading the way with their pace and accuracy. However, England do have a couple of injury scares leading into the game with captain Eoin Morgan and Jason Roy suffering injuries in their previous game against the West Indies.

Yet, England will now face a different threat in Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi at Old Trafford, where spinners could have a big say in the proceedings. Here are a few tips to help you pick your Dream11 team.

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Squads to choose from

England

Eoin Morgan (C), Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, James Vince, Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett, and Tom Curran

Afghanistan

Gulbadin Naib (C), Ikram Ali Khil, Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

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Playing XI Updates

England:

With Eoin Morgan set to be out injured for this game, Jos Buttler could be in line to step into the captain's boots and shoulder the responsibility of the middle order. James Vince should replace Jason Roy in the playing XI while Moeen Ali is the only established batsman left in the side who is capable of batting in the top order. The bowling unit has been firing on all cylinders although much is expected from Adil Rashid and his leg-spin. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow will once again be key in the slated absence of Roy and Morgan given their recent form.

Possible XI: Bairstow, Ali, Vince, Root, Stokes, Buttler (C & WK), Woakes, Plunkett, Archer, Wood and Rashid.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan's middle order woes have derailed their campaign with none of the Afghan batsmen able to convert their starts into big ones. Noor Ali Zadran has been good in his outings at the top of the order and would be looking to come good once again on Tuesday while much of the responsibility lies of the trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and captain Gulbadin Naib.

No changes are expected from them for this game with their pace attack also bowling well in the powerplay overs. Hazratullah Zazai should be key against Woakes and Archer upfront with his performance ultimately setting the tone for the rest of the game for the Afghans.

Possible XI: Zazai, Noor Ali, Rahmat, Shahidi, Afghan, Nabi, Naib(C), Khil(WK), Rashid, Aftab Alam and Hamid.

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Match Details

England vs Afghanistan, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Match 24

18th June 2019, 3:00 PM IST

Old Trafford, Manchester

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Pitch Report

A flat track beckons both sides as seen in the previous game between India and Pakistan. Although swing wasn't fully on offer with the new ball, spinners were able to extract considerable turn which should give Afghanistan a glimmer of hope against the might of England. Rain should stay away from this game with overcast conditions being a hallmark all over the UK right now.

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Fantasy Tips and Suggestions

Wicket-keeper: Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler are the preferred options in the wicket-keepers section given the form they are in and they responsibility on their shoulders. With Morgan and Roy injured, they should be able to bide their time initially and score some runs against Afghanistan.

Batsmen: Joe Root is a must have in the team with the England Test captain already scoring two hundreds in the World Cup. Along with him, James Vince and Hazratullah Zazai are also decent options to have in your side while the calmness of Rahmat Shah could also be picked in the side given the balance of the side allows you to do so.

Allrounders: Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi are two of Afghanistan's best players and are capable of contributing heavily in either department making them invaluable assets to our fantasy team. One of Chris Woakes or Ben Stokes should suffice as the third allround option for this game with both of them in decent form with bat and ball.

Bowlers: Jofra Archer has been a revelation for England this World Cup with nine wickets so far. Given the fragility of Afghanistan's batting unit, he is one to have in your side while the spin on offer also makes the inclusions of Rashid Khan and Adil Rashid viable. Liam Plunkett is also a decent option to have in the side while the pace of Mark Wood could be opted for if England bowl first.

Captain: Jonny Bairstow and Jofra Archer are the frontrunners for captaincy with their ability to win games single-handedly already being well documented in the recent IPL 2019. Bairstow has gotten off to starts without converting them into big ones so far but should be backed to do so on Tuesday. Ben Stokes and Mohammad Nabi are also good options for vice-captaincy given their valuable all-round abilities.

Fantasy Suggestion #1: Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Hazratullah Zazai, James Vince, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer. Captain: Jofra Archer, Vice-Captain: Jonny Bairstow

Fantasy Suggestion #2: Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Rahmat Shah, Noor Ali Zadran, James Vince, Mohammad Nabi, Ben Stokes, Rashid Khan, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and Liam Plunkett. Captain: Jonny Bairstow, Vice-Captain: Mohammad Nabi

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Also see – Australia vs England head to head stats

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