European Cricket Network are excited to live broadcast the five match T20 Series between Belgium and Malta to be conducted in Malta from July 8.
European Cricket Network live broadcasts the two T20I between Malta and Belgium on Thursday 10 July.
Malta host Belgium in a mouthwatering five-match series on the beautiful island of Malta. With Belgium taking a 2-1 lead on Day 2, the series is for the visitors’ to lose. Can the hosts Malta bounce back to claim consecutive victories to win the series?
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MATCH 4
MALTA (MAL) v BELGIUM (BEL)
0730 GMT | 0930 CET | 1300 IST
MATCH 5
MALTA (MAL) v BELGIUM (BEL)
1230 GMT | 1430 CET | 1800 IST
MAL Last Five Matches: W NR W L L (Avg Score For 122, Avg Score Against 149)
BEL Last Five Matches: W W L W W (Avg Score For 151, Avg Score Against 100)
Captain: Bikram Arora
Wicketkeeper: Heinrich Gericke
Projected Top Four: Zeeshan Khan, Heinrich Gericke, Samuel Mangat Stanislaus, Varun Prasath Thamotharan
Projected Opening Bowlers: Muhammad Bilal, Ashok Bishnoi
Spin Options: Amar Sharma, Bikram Arora, Samuel Mangat Stanislaus
MALTA Key Players:
Varun Prasath Thamotharanplayed a lone hand of 15 runs in the second match, the only Malta batsman to reach double figures in a horrific collapse. Has been good with the ball keeping the batsmen quiet with his tight lines. Needs to fire with the bat if Malta are to make a comeback in the series.
Ashok Bishnoi is makinghis international debut for Malta following an outstanding performance in the recently concluded FanCode ECS Malta. On debut, the medium pacer was right on the money from ball one with figures of 1-18 in his four overs with a maiden as well in the powerplay! The swing king picked up 2-25 in the third T20I.
Washeem Abbas has been a good first change bowler in the series, not allowing the Belgium batsmen to score freely. The medium pacer is the joint leading wicket taker in the series with FIVE scalps in three games so far.
Muhammad Bilal, after impressing at the FanCode ECS Malta, the left hander was handed his maiden international cap in the series opener. He was sharp and lethal, bowling tight lines and troubling the batsmen with pace. Returned an outstanding figures of 2-11 including a maiden in the first game. He continued his good form with the ball picking up 2-21 in the third game and scored a blistering 14-ball 30* to take Malta to a fighting total.
Samuel Mangat Stanislaus, MVP at European Cricket Series Malta last year, racking up 339 runs at an average of about 68 and SR of 182. The Malta number three looked good with the bat in the third T20I top scoring for his side with 35 runs.
Captain: Shaheryar Butt
Wicketkeeper: Sherul Mehta
Projected Top Four: Hadisullah Tarakhel, Raja Saqlain Ali, Wahidullah Usmani, Shaheryar Butt
Projected Opening Bowlers: Ashiqullah Said, Khalid Ahmadi
Spin Options: Nemish Mehta, Shaheryar Butt
BELGIUM Key Players:
Hadisullah Tarakhel, the youngster likes to go bonkers from ball one. Impressed with an unbeaten knock of 45 in the second match smoking six fours and three sixes. He is the leading run scorer in the series with 65 runs from three matches.
Khalid Ahmadi, right arm fast bowler, he is quick and accurate, bowls deadly yorkers and is economical more often than not. The 26-year old has scalped FOUR wickets in the series and has taken his tally to 10 international wickets in seven matches.
Ashiqullah Said picked up three wickets on Day 1. The right-arm fast bowler has impressive numbers in international cricket picking up 14 wickets in 10 matches at an economy rate of just 5.66 including a best return of 3-15. Has been very consistent with his lines scalping three wickets in the series so far.
Burhan Niaz, on international debut, the right arm medium pacer wreaked havoc running through the Malta batting lineup with man of the match figures of 4-8 in his four overs which also included a maiden. He currently leads the wicket taking column with a total of FIVE wickets.
Sheraz Sheikh was the hero for Belgium on Day 2. The all-rounder returned with figures of 3-22 and scored a crucial 19* off 14 balls to take his side to victory. He was the man of the match for his valuable contributions with bat and ball.
After sharing the spoils on the opening day, Belgium took the lead on Day 2 with a narrow four wicket victory over hosts Malta. Being put into bat, Malta were reduced to 18/3 inside three overs and were playing catch-up from that point on. If Malta are to make a comeback and win the series their top order has to come good which has not happened so far. Belgium, on the other hand, have found ways to get out of precarious situations and stamp their authority on all three games. With momentum on their side, BEL will be aiming for twin successes on Saturday and to seal the series in style.
Match Prediction: Belgium are likely to seal the series 4-1 with back-to-back wins on Saturday. That said, the toss could play a pivotal role as all three games have been won by the chasing team.
