The new and fresh venture sees 15 teams feature in three groups of five, with each group meeting over a separate week of T10 action. Each group will feature 24 T10 games - a double round-robin and a playoff. The leading two countries in each group will advance to a Finals Week scheduled from October 4-8 in Spain.
European Cricket Network live broadcasts five T10 matches on Day 9 of the 2021 Dream11 European Cricket Championship on Thursday 23 September.
Group B goes down to the wire. Which team will have to go home early?
Group B
NED XI Netherlands XI (6-0, NRR+5.159)
AUT Austria (4-2, NRR+0.868)
HUN Hungary (3-3, NRR+0.775)
ROM Romania (2-4, NRR-3.405)
POR Portugal (0-6, NRR-3.453)
European Cricket Championship 2021
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MATCH 16 (ECC21.040)
PORTUGAL (POR) v NETHERLANDS XI (NED XI)
0700 GMT | 0900 CET | 1230 IST
POR Timeline: L L L L L L (Avg Score For 88, Avg Score Against 123)
NED XI Timeline: W W W W W W (Avg Score For 135, Avg Score Against 84)
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, third highest scorer for POR with 56 runs in six knocks. He also picked up SIX wickets.
Amir Zaib, another valuable all-rounder with vast ECN experience. Top scorer for Portugal racking up 123 runs in six matches. Has also picked up SIX 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, joint top wicket taker for POR picking up EIGHT wickets in six games with a best return of 3-10 vs NED XI.
Sharn Gomez, classy left handed batsman, second highest run scorer for POR racking up 88 runs in six games.
Imran Khan, all-rounder, hasn’t fired with the bat but has been exceptionally well with the ball leading the wicket taking charts alongside Junaid Khan scalping EIGHT wickets in six games.
NETHERLANDS XI (NED XI)
Captain: Sebastiaan Braat
Wicketkeeper: Asad Zulfiqar
Projected Top Order: Musa Nadeem Ahmad, Clayton Floyd, Boris Gorlee, Sebastiaan Braat, Victor Lubbers
Projected Opening Bowlers: Niels Etman, Ryan Klein
Spin Options: Clayton Floyd, Julian de Mey
NETHERLANDS XI Key Players:
Sebastiaan Braat, skipper with six T20 international matches to his name. A dynamic, fast bowling all-rounder with vast experience facing top quality opposition. Hasn’t enjoyed much opportunity to impress with the bat, but has managed 84 runs in six games at a SR of 255.
Boris Gorlee, young, up and coming talent, has represented the Dutch under-19 team, mustered an unbeaten 55 off 29 balls to bag his first man of the match award vs Romania. Has racked up 127 runs in five innings. Bailed NED XI out of trouble in the game vs Hungary on Wednesday.
Musa Nadeem Ahmad, star batsman, the left hander finally came good against Romania on Tuesday mustering an unbeaten 63 off 20 balls. He also picked up two wickets and plucked two outstanding catches. Has plundered a total of 145 runs including back-to-back fifties.
Clayton Floyd, talented all-rounder, mustered 34 runs in 15 balls vs Portugal and picked up three wickets in two games on Monday with his canny left-arm spin. Mustered 115 off just 35 balls vs Romania on Tuesday racking up an historic first ever T10 international hundred. His knock included 15 towering maximos. Top scorer for NED XI amassing 182 runs in five innings.
Julian De Mey, slow left arm orthodox, highly effective in the middle overs, top wicket taker for NED XI scalping 10 wickets in six games including a best return of 3-12.
Ryan Klein, right arm fast bowler, became only the second bowler to take a T10 international HAT-TRICK - scalping 3-14 vs Austria. Has taken a total of SEVEN wickets in five games.
Two sides at opposite ends of the standings. Netherlands have won six out of six, while Portugal are still seeking their first win. That is unlikely to change here as elimination looms for the Portuguese.
Last time they met: ECC21.029 | NED XI 110 def POR 90 (20 Sep 2021)
Match Prediction: Netherlands (NED XI) to win at a canter.
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MATCH 17 (ECC21.041)
HUNGARY (HUN) v AUSTRIA (AUT)
0900 GMT | 1100 CET | 1430 IST
HUN Timeline: W L W L W L (Avg Score For 115, Avg Score Against 107)
AUT Timeline: W W L W L W (Avg Score For 118, Avg Score Against 109)
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 159 runs in six games including a crucial 43 off 14 balls vs POR. Also, 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 134 runs in six games and has picked up SEVEN wickets. He also bagged man of the match award for his all-round performance vs POR.
Harsh Mandhyan, right arm off-spinner, very consistent with his line and length and is generally economical, has picked up SEVEN wickets in six games and has scored 83 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 EIGHT wickets in six games with a best return of 3-12.
AUSTRIA (AUT)
Captain: Razmal Shigiwal
Wicketkeeper: Abrar Bilal
Projected Top Order: Iqbal Hossain, Zeeshan Goraya, Razmal Shigiwal, Abrar Bilal, Mirza Ahsan
Projected Opening Bowlers: Aqib Iqbal, Sahel Zadran
Spin Options: Sahel Zadran, Sahil Momin, Abdullah Akbarjan, Iqbal Hossain
AUSTRIA Key Players:
Abdullah Akbarjan, talented left-arm slow bowler with good pace variations, is generally very economical, scalped TWO HAT-TRICKS at FanCode ECS Austria Vienna. He is a handy batsman too. Leading wicket taker for AUT picking up NINE wickets.
Razmal Shigiwal, hard hitting batsman, started off with a bang plundering 96 runs in just 28 balls including 11 HUGE maximos against Romania. Top scorer for Austria mustering 179 runs in six games at a strike rate of 227.
Iqbal Hossain, aggressive opening batsman, second highest scorer for AUT, hammered 177 runs in six games at a strike rate of over 224 including a man of the match performance against Hungary scoring a blistering 64* off 29 balls.
Noor Khan, right arm medium pacer with plenty of ECS experience, joint second highest wicket taker for Austria scalping SIX wickets in six games. He is also a handy batsman.
Aqib Iqbal, young, energetic fast bowler, capable of swinging the ball in the air and off the deck, joint second highest wicket taker for AUT picking up SIX wickets with a best return of 3-4.
Austria have only lost to the Netherlands twice so are basically unbeaten against the rest of Group B. Hungary have a 50 % win record and will provide a stiff test in this Austro-Hungarian derby.
Last time they met: ECC21.028 | AUT 99(8.5) def HUN 95 (20 Sep 2021)
Match Prediction: Austria (AUT) to edge a narrow win.
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MATCH 18 (ECC21.042)
PORTUGAL (POR) v ROMANIA (ROM)
1100 GMT | 1300 CET | 1630 IST
POR Timeline: L L L L L L (Avg Score For 88, Avg Score Against 123)
ROM Timeline: L L W L L W (Avg Score For 102, Avg Score Against 136)
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, third highest scorer for POR with 56 runs in six knocks. He also picked up SIX wickets.
Amir Zaib, another valuable all-rounder with vast ECN experience. Top scorer for Portugal racking up 123 runs in six matches. Has also picked up SIX 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, joint top wicket taker for POR picking up EIGHT wickets in six games with a best return of 3-10 vs NED XI.
Sharn Gomez, classy left handed batsman, second highest run scorer for POR racking up 88 runs in six games.
Imran Khan, all-rounder, hasn’t fired with the bat but has been exceptionally well with the ball leading the wicket taking charts alongside Junaid Khan scalping EIGHT wickets in six games.
ROMANIA (ROM)
Captain:Ramesh Satheesan
Wicketkeeper:Satwik Nadigotla
Projected Top Order:Ramesh Satheesan,Taranjeet Singh,Gohar Manan,Satwik Nadigotla
Projected Opening Bowlers:Rajesh Kumar,Vasu Saini
Spin / Slow Options:Taranjeet Singh,Ramesh Satheesan, Pavel Florin
ROMANIA Key Players:
Taranjeet Singh, a terrific all-rounder and the pillar of this Romanian side. Didn't enjoy a good opening day failing in both matches but came good on Tuesday scoring a well compiled 59 off 27 balls vs Hungary. Top scorer for ROM with 129 runs in six games.
Sivakumar Periyalwar, experienced right handed batsman, has good technique and doesn’t shy away from challenges on the field, second highest scorer for ROM scoring 90 runs in six games.
Vasu Saini, handy all-rounder, equally capable with bat and ball, top wicket taker for ROM picking up SIX wickets in six games.
Gohar Manan, hard hitting batsman with a couple of centuries to his name, is a huge part of the Romanian side, has scored 76 runs in five games.
Satwik Nadigotla, wicket keeper batsman, played a crucial knock vs Portugal on Wednesday ensuring a top four finish for Romania. He mustered 52 off 24 balls and was awarded man of the match for his efforts.
Portugal shocked the previously unbeaten Netherlands XI in the earlier game for the mother of all upsets. Portugal stay alive in the tournament and need another win against Romania in this match and hope that ROM lose to Austria later in the day.
Last time they met: ECC21.039 | ROM 116 def POR 88 (22 Sep 2021)
Match Prediction: Romania (ROM) to win a close contest.
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MATCH 19 (ECC21.043)
HUNGARY (HUN) v NETHERLANDS XI (NED XI)
1300 GMT | 1500 CET | 1830 IST
HUN Timeline: W L W L W L (Avg Score For 115, Avg Score Against 107)
NED XI Timeline: W W W W W W (Avg Score For 135, Avg Score Against 84)
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 159 runs in six games including a crucial 43 off 14 balls vs POR. Also, 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 134 runs in six games and has picked up SEVEN wickets. He also bagged man of the match award for his all-round performance vs POR.
Harsh Mandhyan, right arm off-spinner, very consistent with his line and length and is generally economical, has picked up SEVEN wickets in six games and has scored 83 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 EIGHT wickets in six games with a best return of 3-12.
NETHERLANDS XI (NED XI)
Captain: Sebastiaan Braat
Wicketkeeper: Asad Zulfiqar
Projected Top Order: Musa Nadeem Ahmad, Clayton Floyd, Boris Gorlee, Sebastiaan Braat, Victor Lubbers
Projected Opening Bowlers: Vivian Kingma, Ryan Klein
Spin Options: Clayton Floyd, Julian de Mey
NETHERLANDS XI Key Players:
Sebastiaan Braat, skipper with six T20 international matches to his name. A dynamic, fast bowling all-rounder with vast experience facing top quality opposition. S
Hasn’t got much opportunity to bat but has managed to score 84 runs in six games at a SR of 255.
Boris Gorlee, young, upcoming talented batsman, has represented the Dutch under-19 team, mustered an unbeaten 55 off 29 balls to bag his first man of the match award vs Romania. Has racked up a total of 127 runs in five innings. Bailed NED XI out to victory vs Hungary on Wednesday.
Musa Nadeem Ahmad, star batsman, the left hander finally came good against Romania on Tuesday mustering an unbeaten 63 off 20 balls. He also picked up two wickets and plucked two outstanding catches. Has plundered a total of 145 runs including back-to-back fifties.
Clayton Floyd, talented all-rounder, mustered 34 runs in 15 balls vs Portugal and picked up three wickets in two games on Monday with his canny left-arm spin. Mustered 115 off just 35 balls vs Romania on Tuesday racking up an historic first ever T10 international hundred. His knock included 15 towering maximos. Top scorer for NED XI amassing 182 runs in five innings.
Julian De Mey, slow left arm orthodox, highly effective in the middle overs, top wicket taker for NED XI scalping 10 wickets in six games including a best return of 3-12.
Ryan Klein, right arm fast bowler, first bowler to pick a T10 international HAT-TRICK - scalping 3-14 vs Austria. Has taken a total of SEVEN wickets in five games.
Hungary gave Netherlands their toughest test on Wednesday, only losing in the final over of a great match. Hopefully, Hungary will still have some more energy left in the tank to challenge a very powerful Dutch unit.
Last time they met: ECC21.038 | NED XI 109(9.4) def HUN 108 (22 Sep 2021)
Match Prediction: Netherlands XI (NED XI) to stay unbeaten with eight consecutive wins.
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MATCH 20 (ECC21.044)
ROMANIA (ROM) v AUSTRIA (AUT)
1500 GMT | 1700 CET | 2030 IST
ROM Timeline: L L W L L W (Avg Score For 102, Avg Score Against 136)
AUT Timeline: W W L W L W (Avg Score For 118, Avg Score Against 109)
ROMANIA (ROM)
Captain:Ramesh Satheesan
Wicketkeeper:Satwik Nadigotla
Projected Top Order:Ramesh Satheesan,Taranjeet Singh,Gohar Manan,Satwik Nadigotla
Projected Opening Bowlers:Rajesh Kumar,Vasu Saini
Spin / Slow Options:Taranjeet Singh,Ramesh Satheesan, Pavel Florin
ROMANIA Key Players:
Taranjeet Singh, a terrific all-rounder and the pillar of this Romanian side. Didn't enjoy a good opening day failing in both matches but came good on Tuesday scoring a well compiled 59 off 27 balls vs Hungary. Top scorer for ROM with 129 runs in six games.
Sivakumar Periyalwar, experienced right handed batsman, has good technique and doesn’t shy away from challenges on the field, second highest scorer for ROM scoring 90 runs in six games.
Vasu Saini, handy all-rounder, equally capable with bat and ball, top wicket taker for ROM picking up SIX wickets in six games.
Gohar Manan, hard hitting batsman with a couple of centuries to his name, is a huge part of the Romanian side, has scored 76 runs in five games.
Satwik Nadigotla, wicket keeper batsman, played a crucial knock vs Portugal on Wednesday ensuring a top four finish for Romania. He mustered 52 off 24 balls and was awarded man of the match for his efforts.
AUSTRIA (AUT)
Captain: Razmal Shigiwal
Wicketkeeper: Abrar Bilal
Projected Top Order: Iqbal Hossain, Zeeshan Goraya, Razmal Shigiwal, Abrar Bilal, Mirza Ahsan
Projected Opening Bowlers: Aqib Iqbal, Sahel Zadran
Spin Options: Sahel Zadran, Sahil Momin, Abdullah Akbarjan, Iqbal Hossain
AUSTRIA Key Players:
Abdullah Akbarjan, talented left-arm slow bowler with good pace variations, is generally very economical, scalped TWO HAT-TRICKS at FanCode ECS Austria Vienna. He is a handy batsman too. Leading wicket taker for AUT picking up NINE wickets.
Razmal Shigiwal, hard hitting batsman, started off with a bang plundering 96 runs in just 28 balls including 11 HUGE maximos against Romania. Top scorer for Austria mustering 179 runs in six games at a strike rate of 227.
Iqbal Hossain, aggressive opening batsman, second highest scorer for AUT, hammered 177 runs in six games at a strike rate of over 224 including a man of the match performance against Hungary scoring a blistering 64* off 29 balls.
Noor Khan, right arm medium pacer with plenty of ECS experience, joint second highest wicket taker for Austria scalping SIX wickets in six games. He is also a handy batsman.
Aqib Iqbal, young, energetic fast bowler, capable of swinging the ball in the air and off the deck, joint second highest wicket taker for AUT picking up SIX wickets with a best return of 3-4.
Austria have looked the best side in this group, apart from the all-conquering Netherlands, so will fancy their chances of moving onto Friday with a win.
Last time they met: ECC21.025 | AUT 195 def ROM 106 (20 Sep 2021)
Match Prediction: Austria (AUT) to win at a canter.
