BAR Last Five Matches: L L NR L W (Avg Score For 69, Avg Score Against 124)
MUS Last Five Matches: W L L W W (Avg Score For 87, Avg Score Against 88)
Captain: Dimo Nikolov
Wicketkeeper: Hristo Ivanov
Projected Top Four: Dimo Nikolov, Mohammad Fayyaz, Ivaylo Katzarski, Hristo Ivanov
Projected Opening Bowlers: Mohammad Fayaz, Dimo Nikolov
Spin Options: Nikolay Nankov
BARBARIANS Key Players:
Mohammad Fayaz, will bolster the Barbarian batting and bowling. Impressed for Indian Tuskers last term, top scoring with 289 runs. Top scorer for BAR scoring 48 runs in three innings.
Ivaylo Katzarski, key man for his side with bat and ball, had the second best bowling figures last season picking up 4-16 vs Indian Tuskers. Second highest run-scorer for BAR with 40 runs to his name thus term.
Dimo Nikolov, current national player and top order batsman, missed ECS Sofia last September but will be helping his team stand tall this time around. Took his side to their maiden victory of the season with a blistering 10-ball 22 in the last game on Tuesday.
Hristo Ivanov, wicket-keeper batsman, top scorer for Barbarians last summer racking up 84 runs.
Captain: Ishan De Silva
Wicketkeeper: Nikhil Oliveira
Projected Top Four: Nikhil Oliveira, Ishan De Silva, Kevin D’Souza, Ashbel Nicson
Projected Opening Bowlers: Huzaif Yousuf, Ali Rasool
Spin Options: Firas Hussain
ACADEMIC - MU SOFIA Key Players:
Ishan De Silva, leading run scorer for MU-Sofia in the 2020 season - 546 runs! Scored his maiden International T20 century for the Bulgaria vs Serbia - 100* which is the 11th highest ever by a number 3 batsman. Hasn’t fired so far but will be eyeing a big score against a struggling BAR side.
Kevin D’Souza caught the eye last season with an impressive knock of 67 off 20 balls vs Indo-Bulgarian CC to win the game. Amassed a total of 198 runs at a strike rate of 257! He is the best power hitter in the MUS side. Has racked up 114 runs in four matches at a staggering strike rate of 243 scoring more than 82% of his runs in boundaries.
Albin Jacob, another Bulgarian international looking to make an impact, especially with the ball, is termed as “death bowler” by his teammates for his ability to keep the batsmen guessing with his variations. Picked up NINE wickets last summer with a best return of 4-11. Has scalped three wickets and mustered 40 runs this term.
Delrick Vinu, the 24-year old fast bowler has been impressive picking up FIVE wickets with a best return of 3-4 and is leading the wicket taking charts for MUS.
MUS bounced back from a horror show on the opening day with two good wins over reigning champions Plovdiv. Barbarians bagged their first win brilliantly against Pleven, but are unlikely to find much joy here against a solid MUS outfit.
Last time they met: MUS 64(5.3) def BAR 61 (8 Sep 2020)
Match Prediction: Academic - MU Sofia (MUS) to win and extend their winning run to four in a row.
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