GROUP B | ELIMINATOR - MATCH 21 (ECC21.045) HUNGARY (HUN) v PORTUGAL (POR) 0700 GMT | 0900 CET | 1230 IST
HUN Timeline: W L W L W L L L (Avg Score For 111, Avg Score Against 112)
POR Timeline: L L L L L L W W (Avg Score For 102, Avg Score Against 116)
HUNGARY (HUN)
Captain: Marc Ahuja
Wicketkeeper: Satyadeep Aswathnarayan
Projected Top Order: Zeeshan Kukikhel, Harsh Mandhyan, Marc Ahuja, Zahir Safi Mohammed
Projected Opening Bowlers: Habib Deldar, Harsh Mandhyan, Abhishek Kheterpal and Asanka Weligamage
Spin Options: Harsh Mandhyan
HUNGARY Key Players:
Zahir Safi Mohammed, experienced right handed middle order batsman, highest run scorer for HUN mustering 206 runs in eight games including a crucial 43 off 14 balls vs POR, and blasted 57 off just 22 balls vs NED XI on Wednesday.
Zeeshan Kukikhel, star all-rounder for Hungary, second highest run scorer for HUN racking up 170 runs in eight games and has picked up SEVEN wickets. He also bagged the man of the match award for his all-round performance vs POR.
Harsh Mandhyan, right handed batsman andright arm off-spinner, very consistent with his line and length and is generally economical, has picked up EIGHT wickets in eight games and scored 110 runs.
Abhishek Kheterpal, right-arm fast bowler who loves taking the new ball and can swing it both ways, he is a genuine threat in the powerplay overs. Top wicket taker for Hungary scalping 12 wickets including a joint tournament best figures of 4-10 vs Portugal bagging a man of the match award.
Salman Khan, left arm pacer, second highest wicket taker for Hungary picking up NINE wickets in eight games with a best return of 3-12. Can add valuable runs down the order, muscled an unbeaten 19 off 5 balls vs NED XI on Thursday.
PORTUGAL (POR)
Captain: Najjam Shahzad
Wicketkeeper: Francoise Stoman
Projected Top Order: Azhar Andani, Sharn Gomez, Amir Zaib, Anthony Chambers
Projected Opening Bowlers: Junaid Khan, Najjam Shahzad
Spin Options: Md Siraj Nipo, Amandeep Singh
PORTUGAL Key Players:
Najjam Shahzad, star all-rounder, dependable batsman who can anchor the innings very well, has scored 68 runs in seven knocks. He has also picked up EIGHT wickets.
Amir Zaib, another valuable all-rounder with vast ECN experience. Top scorer for Portugal racking up 222 runs in eight matches at a SR of 200. He hammered an unbeaten 72 off just 18 balls vs Romania. Has also picked up EIGHT wickets with the ball.
Junaid Khan, very good with the bat and equally sharp with the ball, the left arm quick has looked lethal with the ball both at the start and in the death overs, top wicket taker for POR picking up 13 wickets in eight games with a best return of 4-14 vs ROM.
Sharn Gomez, classy left handed batsman, second highest run scorer for POR racking up 204 runs in eight games. Scored back-to-back fifties on Wednesday helping his side qualify for Finals Day.
Imran Khan, all-rounder, hasn’t fired with the bat scoring just 41 runs in six innings but has been exceptionally well with the ball, second highest wicket taker for POR picking up 12 wickets.
After losing six on the trot, Portugal came from nowhere to win two from two on Thursday to qualify ahead of Romania and stay alive in the competition. Buoyed by those wins, Portugal will be full of confidence in the Eliminator and now pit their wits against Hungary, who are on a three match losing streak.
Last time they met: ECC21.030 | HUN 124 def POR 97 (21 Sep 2021)
Match Prediction: Portugal (POR) to maintain their progress with another victory.
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