To qualify, Minhaj must meet the fierce challenge of La Manga Torrevieja, 2020 East Coast and Central League T20 champions (ECCL), in a best of three play-off for the right to represent Cricket España at ECL21.
Formed in 2006
2012 champions of Catalunya
2016 Super 6 championship Catalunya
2017 Champions City Barcelona
2019 Champions T10 Catalunya, qualified for ECL20
Minhaj, the oldest club in Catalunya, possess some genuine T10 pedigree, having qualified as Spain’s representatives for ECL20. Unfortunately, Minhaj were unable to take their place at ECL20 after the postponement due to the Corona pandemic.
The Barcelona-based side will be looking to make the most of “local knowledge”, currently leading their group at the FanCode ECS Spain Barcelona. However, Minhaj will have to make do without the prodigious talents of Awais Ahmed and Asjad Butt , who both weren’t registered in time for this play-off.
Asked about his side’s chances: “We are convinced one hundred percent that we can win these qualifiers,” said captain Amar Shahzad. “We have experienced players who have performed well under pressure, and of course managed to win these play-off games last year as well. That being said, this is cricket and anything can happen in T10, but we will give it our best to win and qualify for ECL21.”
Minhaj, 2019 Champions T10 Catalunya, will rely on the players that proved too strong for Levante in a best-of-three play-off for ECL20 qualification. Record run scorer Mohammad Riaz was the star of the show for Minhaj, racking up unbeaten match-winning knocks of 59 and 47 along with a destructive five-wicket haul over the two matches. Wicket keeper batsman Alumdar Hussain also chipped in with very handy contributions of 41 and 36.
Captain: Amar Shahzad
WK: Mubashar Ali / Alumdar Hussain
Projected Top 4 batting - Almudar Hussain- Jafar Iqbal - Usman Mushtaq - Muhammad Riaz
Projected opening bowlers: Muhammad Riaz - Amar Shahzad - Yasin Javaid - Khalid Mehmood
KEY PLAYERS
Jafar Iqbal
A powerful batsman who impressed at ECS Barcelona last time around, bagging a pair of man of the match awards with some destructive hitting.
Yasin Javaid
Can take wickets and vary his pace well, especially at crunch times.
Zaka Ullah
Can be relied upon to put the ball in the right areas, when it counts.
Catch all the FanCode Spanish Championship Day - ECL21 playoff action LIVE on the European Cricket Network, available on the FanCode platform in the Indian subcontinent and streamed globally on the ECN - European Cricket Network YouTube channel.
Tune into the BEST OF THREE matches LIVE action from Barcelona this Sunday from * 0830 CET * 0730 GMT * 1300 IST.