ECI Austria-Belgium, 2025: Austria (AUT) vs Belgium (BEL) – Match 3 Preview

Event: ECI Austria-Belgium, 2025
Match: Single Group Match Day 1, Match 3 (SI Match Name: Match 3)
Teams: Austria (AUT) vs Belgium (BEL)
Date: 22 August 2025
Start Time: 14:45 Local Time | 17:15 IST
Venue: Cricket Club Velden 91
Format: T10
Match Type: Group Match
Toss: Belgium won the toss and elected to bat


Spotlight on the Stars: Who Will Shine Brightest?

  • Most 6s Prediction:
    Karanbir Singh (AUT) and Bilal Zalmai (AUT) both average 2 sixes per match in their careers, making them the leading contenders to clear the ropes most often.

  • Most Runs Prediction:
    Karanbir Singh (AUT) leads with a career average of 27 runs per match, closely followed by Bilal Zalmai (AUT) at 26.

  • Most Wickets Prediction:
    Iftikhar Kankhel (BEL) and Rafiullah Alokzai (BEL) both average 1 wicket per match, the highest among available bowlers.

  • Match MVP Prediction:
    Bilal Zalmai (AUT) boasts the highest average fantasy points per match (94), making them the top candidate for the MVP award.


Team Introductions & Key Stats

Austria (AUT)

  • Matches Played: 85
  • Matches Won: 51
  • Win Percentage: 60%
  • Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Bilal Zalmai (94 points/match)
  • Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): Umair Tariq (35 points/match)
  • Top Six-Hitter: Karanbir Singh & Bilal Zalmai (160 & 95 sixes, 2 per match)
  • Top Wicket-Taker: Umair Tariq (career: 1362 bowling fantasy points, 90 matches)

Belgium (BEL)

  • Matches Played: 71
  • Matches Won: 43
  • Win Percentage: 60.6%
  • Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Sherry Butt (48 points/match)
  • Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): Saber Zakhil (60 points/match)
  • Top Six-Hitter: Sherry Butt (133 sixes, 1 per match)
  • Top Wicket-Taker: Iftikhar Kankhel (career: 795 bowling fantasy points, 23 matches, 1 wicket per match)

Player Highlights

Austria (AUT)

Karanbir Singh – All-Rounder

With 55 matches under their belt, Karanbir Singh is a proven match-winner for Austria. Their career tally of 4864 fantasy points (88 per match) is underpinned by explosive batting: 160 sixes, 10 fifties, and 2 hundreds, including a top score of 119. Singh’s all-round prowess is further highlighted by 10 Player of the Match awards (18% of matches). While their current event form is modest, their career numbers make them a constant threat.

Bilal Zalmai – All-Rounder

Arguably Austria’s most impactful player, Bilal Zalmai averages a staggering 94 fantasy points per match (3195 total in 34 games). With 95 sixes and 6 fifties, Zalmai is a game-changer with the bat, and their 994 bowling fantasy points show all-round value. Nine Player of the Match awards (26% of matches) underline their match-winning ability. Zalmai’s current event form (23 points/match) suggests they are warming up for a big performance.

Umair Tariq – Bowler

A mainstay in Austria’s bowling attack, Umair Tariq has played 90 matches, amassing 1362 bowling fantasy points (15 per match). With a best of 4 wickets in a match and 3 three-wicket hauls, Tariq is a reliable wicket-taker. Their current event average of 35 fantasy points per match signals strong form.

Aqib Iqbal – All-Rounder, Captain

Iqbal’s leadership is matched by their all-round contributions: 5261 career fantasy points (50 per match), 132 sixes, and 1818 bowling fantasy points. With 13 Player of the Match awards (12% of matches), Iqbal is a proven performer in high-pressure situations. Their current event average (28 points/match) keeps them in the fantasy mix.


Belgium (BEL)

Sherry Butt – Batsman

With 73 matches and 3524 career fantasy points (48 per match), Sherry Butt is Belgium’s most consistent fantasy performer. Their 133 sixes and 8 fifties highlight their power-hitting credentials. Butt’s fielding is also notable, with 39 career catches. While current event form is subdued, their career record makes them a key player.

Saber Zakhil – All-Rounder

Zakhil is Belgium’s in-form player, averaging 60 fantasy points per match in the current event. With 70 career sixes and 817 bowling fantasy points, Zakhil’s all-round skills are vital. Nine Player of the Match awards (11.5% of matches) show their ability to turn games single-handedly.

Aziz Mohammad – All-Rounder

Aziz Mohammad brings balance to Belgium’s side, with 2711 career fantasy points (45 per match) and 89 sixes. Their bowling (643 points) and fielding (6 catches) add further value. Ten Player of the Match awards (16.7% of matches) highlight their match-winning pedigree.

Iftikhar Kankhel – Bowler

Kankhel is Belgium’s leading wicket-taker, averaging 1 wicket per match and 35 bowling fantasy points per match. With 995 total fantasy points in just 23 matches, Kankhel is a high-impact bowler, and their current event average (36 points/match) suggests they are in good rhythm.


Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head

  • Karanbir Singh (AUT) vs Sherry Butt (BEL):
    Both are prolific six-hitters, but Singh’s higher average (2 per match) and superior run-scoring (27 per match) give Austria an edge in the power-hitting department.

  • Bilal Zalmai (AUT) vs Saber Zakhil (BEL):
    Both are all-rounders with high fantasy impact. Zalmai’s career average (94) dwarfs Zakhil’s (36), but Zakhil’s current event form (60) is superior to Zalmai’s (23).

  • Umair Tariq (AUT) vs Iftikhar Kankhel (BEL):
    Both are their team’s leading bowlers. Tariq’s experience (90 matches) and consistent fantasy returns (15 per match) are matched by Kankhel’s wicket-taking ability (1 per match, 35 fantasy points per match).


Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations

Safe Choices:

  • Bilal Zalmai (AUT): Highest career fantasy average, consistent all-rounder.
  • Karanbir Singh (AUT): Explosive batter, high sixes and runs per match.

Bold Picks:

  • Saber Zakhil (BEL): In-form all-rounder, high current event average.
  • Umair Tariq (AUT): Leading bowler, strong current event form.

Insights & Key Matchups

  • Austria’s Power Hitters: With Singh and Zalmai both averaging 2 sixes per match, Austria’s top order can change the game in a few overs.
  • Belgium’s Bowling Depth: Kankhel and Alokzai provide wicket-taking options, while Zakhil’s all-round form is a major asset.
  • All-Rounder Impact: Both teams rely heavily on their all-rounders for balance and match-winning performances.
  • Fielding Factor: Players like Sherry Butt and Walid Sahibzada (BEL) and Amar Naeem (AUT) contribute significantly in the field, which could be decisive in a T10 format.

Final Word

With both teams boasting a 60%+ win rate and a host of match-winners on either side, this T10 clash at Cricket Club Velden 91 promises fireworks. Austria’s explosive batting faces off against Belgium’s balanced attack and in-form all-rounders. Expect a high-octane contest where every ball counts and individual brilliance could tip the scales.

Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling encounter in the ECI Austria-Belgium, 2025!

  1. Bilal Zalmai – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 94.0 – AUT
  2. Karanbir Singh – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 88.0 – AUT
  3. Akshay Wagh – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 70.0 – AUT
  4. Amar Naeem – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 59.0 – AUT
  5. Aqib Iqbal – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 50.0 – AUT
  6. Rafiullah Alokzai – Bowler – Avg. Points: 50.0 – BEL
  7. Sherry Butt – Batter – Avg. Points: 48.0 – BEL
  8. Aziz Mohammad – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 45.0 – BEL
  9. Iftikhar Kankhel – Bowler – Avg. Points: 43.0 – BEL
  10. Burhan Niaz – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 41.0 – BEL
  11. Ranjit Singh – Batter – Avg. Points: 39.0 – AUT

Number of players from each team:

  • Austria (AUT): 6
  • Belgium (BEL): 5

Number of players from each skill type:

  • All-Rounder: 5
  • Bowler: 2
  • Batter: 2
  • Wicket-Keeper: 1
  • Wicket-Keeper/Batter: 1 (counted as Wicket-Keeper above)

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