MSG vs WF Fantasy Prediction, 21st Match: Manchester Super Giants vs Welsh Fire Fantasy Team, Playing XI, Pitch Report, The Hundred 2026

MSG vs WF Fantasy Team prediction looks set for an exciting contest as Welsh Fire sit above Manchester Super Giants in the table going into this one, even though Manchester have the bigger reputation on paper. Both teams have been up and down this season. Aiden Markram leads a Manchester side packed with batting talent, and Phil Salt captains Welsh Fire, the format’s all-time leading run scorer.

MSG vs WF Match Details

Match: Manchester Super Giants vs Welsh Fire (MSG vs WF), 21st Match, The Hundred Men 2026
Date: Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Time: 3:00 PM Local Time (7:30 PM IST)
Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
Live Streaming in India: JioHotstar
Live Telecast in India: Star Sports Network

Recent Form

Manchester Super Giants have won two of their last four, but lost their last two in a row, to Sunrisers Leeds and Trent Rockets. Jos Buttler has been in good touch through the middle of the season. Welsh Fire have won three of their last four, including a win over Birmingham Phoenix last time out, chasing 138 with four balls to spare. Their only recent loss came against Trent Rockets, where they fell just short chasing 127.

Points Table

Welsh Fire actually sit above Manchester Super Giants right now, with three wins from four games and 12 points against Manchester’s two wins from four and eight points. Manchester have the better net run rate of the two, so the table is closer than it looks, but Welsh Fire have been the more consistent side lately.

MSG vs WF Head to Head Record

Welsh Fire have had the better of this fixture recently, winning three of the last five meetings. Their most recent win came last season, restricting Manchester to 112. Manchester’s win in that stretch came back in 2022. It’s been a fairly even contest overall, with Welsh Fire just shading it lately.

MSG vs WF Squads

Manchester Super Giants: Aiden Markram captains the side, the only overseas captain in the men’s competition. Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen give the batting real firepower, and Josh Tongue leads the pace attack alongside Noor Ahmad’s wrist spin. Full squad: Aiden Markram (c), Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen, Tim Seifert (wk), Leus du Plooy, Tom Moores, Max Holden, Liam Dawson, Tawanda Muyeye, Paul Walter, James Sales, Noor Ahmad, Tom Hartley, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker, George Scrimshaw, Adam Finch.

Welsh Fire: Phil Salt captains the side and keeps wicket, still the format’s all time leading run scorer. Joe Root and Jordan Cox add batting depth, and Marco Jansen and Chris Woakes lead the bowling. Full squad: Phil Salt (c, wk), Jordan Cox (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (wk), Joe Root, Matthew Short, Asa Tribe, Ben Kellaway, Rachin Ravindra, Marco Jansen, Chris Woakes, Lockie Ferguson, Sam Cook, Jafer Chohan, Tom Aspinwall, Jordan Clark, Dillon Pennington.

Pitch Report

Emirates Old Trafford has favoured the team bowling first in the men’s game, winning 55 percent of matches here across 22 games. Scores stay moderate, with an average first innings score of 136 and second innings of 116. Pace bowlers have taken the majority of wickets recently, around 57 percent over the last 10 matches.

Weather Report

Wednesday in Manchester should stay mild and mostly dry, with a high near 66°F (19°C). Rain chances vary depending on the source, from around 15 percent up to 61 percent, so it’s worth checking closer to the match, though conditions look manageable.

MSG vs WF Fantasy Team Key Players Recent Form

Manchester Super Giants (MSG)

Aiden Markram: 50 Runs, 28 Runs, 32 Runs
Jos Buttler: 2 Runs, 55 Runs, 63 Runs
Heinrich Klaasen: 13 Runs, 0 Runs, 53 Runs
Josh Tongue: 2 Wickets, 0 Wickets, 1 Wicket
Noor Ahmad: 2 Wickets, 0 Wickets, 0 Wickets
Gus Atkinson: 0 Wickets, 2 Wickets, 0 Wickets

Welsh Fire (WF)

Matthew Short: 60 Runs & 2 Wickets, 36 Runs
Phil Salt: 4 Runs, 46 Runs, 5 Runs
Joe Root: 17 Runs, 58 Runs, 5 Runs
Sam Cook: 3 Wickets, 1 Wicket
Rachin Ravindra: 0 Runs & 2 Wickets, 7 Runs & 1 Wicket, 16 Runs & 1 Wicket
Chris Woakes: 1 Wicket, 1 Wicket, 0 Wickets

Note: Player recent form is based on their latest appearances before the MSG vs WF match and may be updated after the toss if required.

Probable Playing XIs

Manchester Super Giants (Probable): Jos Buttler (wk), Tim Seifert, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, Leus du Plooy, Tawanda Muyeye, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Noor Ahmad, Tom Hartley, Gus Atkinson.

Welsh Fire (Probable): Phil Salt (c, wk), Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Matthew Short, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Marco Jansen, Chris Woakes, Ben Kellaway, Lockie Ferguson, Sam Cook.

These are the likely lineups. Both are confirmed at the toss.

Key Player Battles

Jos Buttler vs Marco Jansen: Buttler in good form is one of the toughest batters to bowl at, and Jansen’s height and left arm angle with the new ball is one of the few things that can trouble him early.

Phil Salt vs Josh Tongue: Salt attacks fast bowling from the first ball, and Tongue’s pace and bounce make this a proper contest in the powerplay.

Aiden Markram vs Chris Woakes: Markram’s calm, controlled batting against Woakes’s experience with the new ball, a battle that could shape the whole innings.

Buttler gets the captaincy as the most destructive batter on show, and Salt is the ideal vice captain as the leading run scorer in Hundred history. The rest of the team balances both top orders with the main bowlers, since bowling first has worked well at this ground.

For grand leagues, try Jansen as captain. He can win a game with the new ball and won’t be picked as much as Buttler or Salt. Klaasen as vice captain gives you a destructive finisher lower down the order. Rachin Ravindra and Tom Hartley are cheap picks who could still contribute with bat or ball.

Also Read- MSG-W vs WF-W Fantasy Prediction, 21st Match: Manchester Super Giants Women vs Welsh Fire Women Fantasy Team, Playing XI, Pitch Report, The Hundred 2026

Match Prediction

Welsh Fire come in with the better recent form and sit above Manchester Super Giants in the table right now, plus a slight head to head edge in recent meetings. Manchester have the bigger names in Buttler and Klaasen, and on their day they can take any total out of reach. It’s close, but Welsh Fire get a small edge on current form, though Manchester’s batting depth means they can never be ruled out.

MSG vs WF Fantasy Team FAQs

Q. Who will win the MSG vs WF 21st match today?
A. It’s close. Welsh Fire have the better recent form and sit above Manchester Super Giants in the table, but Manchester’s batting depth with Buttler and Klaasen means they can’t be ruled out.

Q. What is the MSG vs WF Fantasy prediction for the 21st match?
A. Jos Buttler and Phil Salt are the top captaincy picks. Marco Jansen and Heinrich Klaasen are good differential options for grand leagues.

Q. What is the pitch report for Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester?
A. Teams bowling first have won 55 percent of matches here in the men’s competition. Scores stay moderate, and pace bowlers have taken most of the wickets recently.

Q. What is the probable Playing XI for MSG vs WF?
A. Manchester Super Giants should be led by Aiden Markram with Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen in the batting. Welsh Fire will build around captain Phil Salt, Joe Root and Jordan Cox. Final XIs are confirmed at the toss.

Q. Is there a rain threat for the MSG vs WF match?
A. It’s mixed depending on the source, ranging from around 15 to 61 percent. Conditions look mostly manageable, but check the toss just in case.

Q. Where do Manchester Super Giants and Welsh Fire stand in the points table?
A. Welsh Fire are actually ahead, with three wins from four games and 12 points. Manchester Super Giants have two wins from four and eight points, though a better net run rate.