ELIMINATOR - MATCH 21 (ECC21.021) NORWAY (NOR) v SWEDEN (SWE) 0700 GMT | 0900 CET | 1230 IST
NOR Timeline: L L NR L W W W W (Avg Score For 129, Avg Score Against 104)
SWE Timeline: W W NR L L L W W (Avg Score For 124, Avg Score Against 116)
NORWAY (NOR)
Captain: Raza Iqbal
Wicketkeeper: Suhail Iftikhar
Projected Top Order:Raza Iqbal, Khizer Ahmed, Suhail Iftikhar, Walid Ghauri, Wahidullah Sahak
Projected Opening Bowlers:Vinay Ravi, Muhammad Sher Sahak, Hayatullah Niazi
Spin Options: Waqas Ahmed, Raza Iqbal, Pritvhi Bhart
NORWAY Key Players:
Raza Iqbal,the Norway captain is a brilliant all-rounder, who played a key role in helping Norway top Group C of 2018 ICC T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier. The opener scored a 26-ball 52 vs Spain in the second game and is the second highest scorer for NOR racking up 156 runs in seven innings.
Khizer Ahmed, the hard hitting batsman has been in tremendous form this series and has been quite consistent top scoring in the tournament mustering 168 runs at a strike rate of 237.
Walid Ghauri, left handed top order batsman, third highest scorer for NOR scoring 123 runs in five innings including an unbeaten 25-ball 57 vs BEL. Has also picked up SIX wickets including a first ever T10 international hat-trick.
Vinay Ravi, right arm fast bowler, has good speed and is capable of moving the ball both ways, second highest wicket taker in the tournament scalping NINE wickets with a best return of 2-8.
Hayatullah Niazi, a seriously talented cricketer who has been playing in England this summer. Caught the eye at ICC WT20 Europe Qualifier as a 17-year-old. Will be one of the fastest bowlers in the tournament and can give it a whack too. Second highest wicket taker for Norway scalping EIGHT wickets. Can also give it a whack with the bat.
SWEDEN (SWE)
Captain: Abhijit Venkatesh
Wicketkeeper: Humayun Kabir Jyoti
Projected Top Order: Share Ali, Rahel Khan, Azam Khalil, Abhijit Venkatesh
Projected Opening Bowlers: Khalid Zahid, Zabi Zahid, Qudratullah Mir Afzal
Spin Options: Azam Khalil, Oktai Gholami, Rahel Khan
SWEDEN Key Players:
Azam Khalil, experienced campaigner in this format who contributes with bat and ball. Tireless worker on behalf of Swedish and European Cricket who will enjoy his moment in the sun here. Plundered 41 off just 12 balls vs Norway on the opening day, but has gone cold since with a total of 78 runs in six innings. Top wicket taker in the tournament picking up 11 wickets with tournament best figures of 4-10.
Rahel Khan, a late call up who has seriously impressed with bat and ball in ECS cricket. Will be keen to take his chance on the big stage. The all-rounder is the second highest scorer in the tournament racking up 164 runs in seven innings at a SR of 202.
Khalid Zahid, right arm pacer who can generate good speed, generally very tight with his line and lengths, second highest wicket taker for SWE with SIX victims at an ER of 7.68.
Share Ali, one of the fiercest attacking batsmen in the Swedish batting line up. Get the Swedes off to a quick start. Second highest scorer for SWE racking up 135 runs in seven innings including a quality unbeaten 63 off 24 balls vs LUX on Monday.
Imal Zuwak, destructive middle order batsman, took Sweden to an unlikely win against Belgium with a blistering knock of 61* in just 23 balls which included five consecutive sixes!
Sweden won their opening game against Norway while the other match was abandoned. Norway are on a roll with four straight wins while Sweden are coming into this game on the back of back-to-back wins including a serious performance against Belgium winning from an improbable situation. Both the teams are matched evenly and this game can go either way. Which team will pack their bags early?
Last time they met: ECC21.006 | Match Abandoned (14 Sep 2021)
Match Prediction: Norway (NOR) to edge the Scandinavian derby.
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