Venue: Santarém Cricket Ground, Albergaria | Date & Time: 2:30 PM IST | 9:00 AM GMT | 10:00 AM Local
Overview
Portugal meet France for their second or third encounter in the tri-series. Portugal have been dominant — their 190/3 against Norway was their highest-ever total at this ground. France have consistently struggled to bat long innings — collapsing in the final 5 overs of both their previous games.
This is Portugal’s home ground. The Santarém Cricket Ground is their primary international venue. Portugal’s players know the surface, the conditions, the wind directions, and the boundary sizes intimately. France travel from Paris or Lyon to a ground they have played far fewer times.
Portugal squad: Najam Shahzad (c), Kuldeep Gholiya (wk), Miguel Machado (wk), Amir Zaib, Anthony Chambers, Azhar Andani, Suman Ghimire, Francoise Stoman, Conrad Greenshields, Junaid Khan, Md Siraj Nipo, Rana Sarwar, Assad Mehmood, Mubeen Tariq, Syed Maisam
France squad: Usman Riaz (c), Jamal Ali (wk), Noman Amjad, Zain Ahmad, Pirakajan Pirabakaran, Lingeswaran Canessane, Zaheer Zahid, Rahmatullah Mangal, Usman Khan, Bilal Hassan, Iqbal Hossain, Mukhtar Ghulami, Dawood Ahmadzai
Santarém cricket ground key stats: Average first innings 151, batting first wins 60%. Sherman Vaz’s 4 wickets in M3 against Norway was the series’ best bowling performance.
France’s only hope: If their opening bowlers exploit morning moisture at Santarém (which can be significant in April) and take early Portugal wickets, a sub-100 total is theoretically achievable. France can then chase competitively. But this requires Portugal’s batting to fail — which they haven’t done so far in this series.
Portugal vs France Prediction
Predicted winner: Portugal (72%) — dominant home series form, superior batting depth, and France’s persistent inability to defend or chase under pressure.
Fantasy Tips: Captain: Najam Shahzad (POR). VC: Portugal’s most prolific batter in M3 (whoever top-scored in the 190/3). Differential: Dawood Ahmadzai (FRA) — France’s best bowling option; if Portugal struggle early, Ahmadzai’s wickets create surprising fantasy returns.
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