Tune in to the live action Friday from 9am CEST * 8am UK * 7am GMT * 12:30pm IST from the Seebarn Cricket Ground in Vienna, Austria.

Team Preview for Pakistan CC

Pakistan CC made their move on Day 3, shooting to the top of the standings and holding on to it through the final day of preliminary matches. Their six wins from eight matches was the most of any team this week in Vienna and they have shown they can perform in the big matches.

Captain: Amar Naeem

Main Wicketkeeper: Arsalan Arif

Key Players:

Bilal Zalmai also known as “BILLY Z” continues to wow audiences in Vienna with his explosive batting. His strike rate of 266 is the best of any batsman in the tournament. He has also been effective when called on with the ball, snaring five wickets.

Shadnan Khan was rested Thursday morning against Indian CC Vienna but returned with authority, blasting 89 off only 29 balls in their final preliminary match. Watch out for another dynamic performance from this key all-rounder.

Zeshan Arif has scored 123 runs for Pakistan CC in the series and has the highest average of any of their batsman (41.00). He has hit 12 maximos in those runs so he knows how to clear the ropes.

Sikandar Hayat is now their leading wicket-taker with eight scalps in the tournament. His economy rate of 8.33 is also top notch. Watch out for him to keep the pressure on.

Team Preview for Indian CC Vienna

India CC Vienna secured fourth spot after the group stage with three wins, but one of them was over their semi-final opponents, Pakistan CC, on Tuesday evening. Another win over their rivals will see them contesting the trophy decider.

Captain: Kunal Joshi

Main Wicketkeeper: Mehar Cheema

Key Players:

Kumud Jha has been the best bowler in the entire series, with 14 wickets, five more than the next contender. He has picked them up at a very miserly economy rate of 7.71. Also being asked to bat up the top of the order, his performance will determine whether Indian CC Vienna can cause the upset they need to advance to the final.

Kunal Joshi will summon one final effort from his troops in their biggest test yet. He has carried himself with aplomb on the batting side of things, scoring 173 runs at a strike rate of 194. He would like to have a bigger impact with the ball, and this semi-final provides the perfect stage for him to show what he can do.

Qadargul Utmanzai is India CC Vienna’s leading batsman in the series, with 200 runs in the tournament, over half of them in sixes! His strike rate of 217 is also the best amongst his teammates. He looked in good touch in their final preliminary matches and will hope to carry that form through to this match.

Daud Zadran has contributed with the ball, with seven wickets to his name doing so at an economy rate of 9.11. He can also score some fast runs towards the end of their innings.

Mr Maximo’s tip: PAKISTAN CC

Pakistan CC accounted for Indian CC Vienna easily on Thursday morning, even without the services of Shadnan Khan. It is true that we have seen some big upsets before in the first semi-final of past European Cricket Series and so it wouldn’t be beyond the realm of possibility for Indian CC Vienna to pull off a shock upset. Ultimately, I don’t think Indian CC Vienna have the batting depth or power to go toe-to-toe with Pakistan CC, and so in my estimation it is Pakistan CC who will be the first side to advance to the series decider in Vienna. Make sure to tune in Friday to the European Cricket Network for all the Finals Friday action!