CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | MATCH 7 (ECC21.079) ITALY (ITA) v SPAIN (SPA) 0900 GMT | 1100 CET | 1430 IST
ITA Group Stage Timeline: L L L L W W W W W W L (Avg Score For 112, Avg Score Against 98)
ITA Championship Week Timeline: L L (Avg Score For 80, Avg Score Against 130)
SPA Group Stage Timeline: LW NR W W W L W L W L (Avg Score For 119, Avg Score Against 113)
SPA Championship Week Timeline: L L (Avg Score For 62, Avg Score Against 153)
ITALY (ITA)
Captain: Baljit Singh
Wicket Keeper: Nisar Ahmed
Projected Top Order: Rajmani Sandhu,Nisar Ahmed, Amir Sharif, Baljit Singh
Projected Opening Bowlers: Muhammad Imran, Ravi Paul, Amir Sharif
Spin Options: Jorawar Singh
Coach: Kamal Kariyawasama Indipolage
ITALY Key Players:
Baljit Singh, right arm medium pacer with good numbers in international T20. The experienced campaigner can also swing the bat hard. Second highest scorer for ITA racking up 214 runs in 12 innings. Muscled a brilliant match winning 43* off 20 balls vs ENG XI to take his side to a first ECC win. Mustered 62* off 19 in the Group C Final against ENG XI again. Has also picked up NINE wickets.
Amir Sharif, right handed batter and right arm pacer, capable of swinging the ball away from the right hander at pace, second highest wicket taker in the tournament so far scalping 17 wickets including a best return of 4-19 vs GER in the opening game. The all-rounder is also the leading run scorer in the tournament blasting 375 runs in 13 games including 80* off just 26 balls in the Eliminator and 57* off 24 in the second qualifier in week three.
Jaspreet Singh, right arm medium pacer, has been good throughout the tournament picking up 13 wickets in 10 games with a best return of 3-7 sv CZR.
Nisar Ahmed, wicket keeper batter, has plenty of T10 experience playing in the ECS, third highest scorer for ITA racking up 181 runs in 11 games including a match winning 51* off 22 vs CZR in the Eliminator.
SPAIN (SPA)
Captain: Christian Munoz-Mills
Wicketkeeper: Awais Ahmed
Projected Top Order: Awais Ahmed, Hamza Saleem, Jack Perman, Yasir Ali
Projected Opening Bowlers: Atif Mehmood, Adeel Raja
Spin Options: Jack Perman, Yasir Ali
Coach: Dave Gelling
SPAIN Key Players:
Kuldeep Lal, has caught the eye in ECS comps over the last two seasons for his all-round performances. Third highest wicket taker for SPA scalping 12 wickets in 12 games with a best return of 3-6. Scored an entertaining 46 off 20 balls opening the innings vs BEL to bag his first player of the match award of the tournament.
Hamza Saleem, Prodigiously talented all-rounder, who made his international debut in the recent T20 Series win over Germany. Can make things happen with the ball and is a quality left-hand bat who can clear the fence with ease. Top scorer for SPA racking up 240 runs in 12 innings including three player of the match awards, showcasing his exquisite hitting. Plundered an unbeaten 65 off 28 balls vs Sweden in the second qualifier in week one.
Awais Ahmed, destructive wicket keeper batter, likes to take control of the game from ball one, third highest scorer for SPA racking up 179 runs in 12 innings including a quickfire 45 off 18 balls vs Norway.
Zulqarnain Haider, right arm pacer, has been impressive with the ball bowling good lines. Second highest wicket taker for Spain scalping 13 wickets in 11 games.
Jack Perman, classy top order batter, impressed with his quick run-scoring ability in the opening week, second highest scorer for SPA racking up 189 runs in 10 innings.
Italy have started off Championship Week in similar fashion to last week’s early action, losing both their matches on the opening day while hosts Spain now own the unwanted record of lowest ECC score ever. With not much time to recover for either side, momentum will be key heading into later on in the week.
Match Prediction: Italy (ITA) to seal a crucial win.
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