The European Cricket Network live broadcasts the 2020 European Cricket Series Cyprus encounter between Nicosia XI Fighters CC and Cyprus Eagles CTL.
Tune in to the live action Friday from 9am CEST * 8am UK * 7am GMT * 12:30pm IST from the Ypsonas Cricket Ground in Cyprus.
Team Preview for Nicosia XI Fighters CC
Nicosia XI Fighters CC are currently in fourth place, having only one win out of their six games so far this week and are yet to beat any of the "big three”. They would love to nab a win against the Eagles which would strengthen their position in the top four.
Captain: Benojir Ahmed
Main Wicketkeeper: Noori Chowdhury
Key Players:
Benojir Ahmed is the captain and opening batsman for the Fighters. He has been their star this week, is their leading batsman with 160 runs and has also picked up five wickets with the ball. If the Fighters are going to fire, he’ll have to play out of his skin.
Abdullah Al Tasmin can hit a long ball and is their most economical bowler, although the fact that his economy rate is a fraction over 10 runs per over says a lot about the Fighters’ inability to contain their opposition this week.
Munnah Rahman is their joint leading wicket-taker with six, along with Saurav Ahmed. They both need to find a way to be more economical to give their batsmen a fighting chance.
Team Preview for Cyprus Eagles CTL
Cyprus Eagles CTL are coming off a day off and should be well rested. They have three wins and a loss from their four matches so far. The Eagles currently sit in third place but have two games in hand on the teams above them. They would be hoping for two solid wins on Friday.
Captain: Murali Alanki
Main Wicketkeeper: Sajib Mohammad
Key Players:
Mehran Khan continues to impress. He is a very experienced campaigner with a good cricket brain. He will no doubt feature prominently with both bat and ball in this match. His economy rate of 6.6 with the ball is outstanding, considering the tiny Ypsonas ground.
Gurdeep Sharma comes into the side and is a very accomplished cricketer. He has a T20 century to his name so I’ll be very interested to see if he can take charge in the ten over format.
Gursewak Singh has been a bit hit and miss but this is the sort of game where he could assert his authority. If he gets a start, he won’t want to waste it.
Murali Alanki is the captain of the Eagles. His bowling has been reliable, picking up four wickets this week.
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Mr Maximo’s tip: CYPRUS EAGLES CTL
Last time they met in Match 2, they got thrashed 164 to 108, but it should be noted that the Eagles' top scorer in that match, Zeeshan Sarwar, is not expected to play in this game so that should give the Fighters a bit more of a fighting chance. I can’t see the Nicosia XI Fighters getting off the canvas in this match, although they will want a good performance leading into their second match against the Sri Lankan Lions which would ultimately decide fourth place. Ultimately, I predict the Cyprus Eagles CTL to win this first match of Friday – join us on ECN for three more exciting T10 matches!
