ECI Croatia-Cyprus, 2025: CRO vs CYP – Match 1 Preview
Event: ECI Croatia-Cyprus, 2025
Match: Croatia (CRO) vs Cyprus (CYP), Single Group Match Day 1, Match 1
Date: 9 August 2025
Start Time: 09:00 Local Time | 11:30 IST
Venue: Mladost Cricket Ground, Zagreb
Format: T10
Match Type: Group Match
Toss: Cyprus won the toss and elected to bat
Spotlight on the Standouts
As the ECI Croatia-Cyprus, 2025 gets underway, all eyes are on the opening clash between hosts Croatia and a determined Cyprus side. With the T10 format promising high-octane action, individual brilliance could well decide the outcome. Here are the players to watch, based on career data:
Most Sixes Prediction:
Zach Vukusic (CRO) – With a career average of 3 sixes per match (19 sixes in 5 matches), Zach is the most prolific six-hitter in this contest.Most Runs Prediction:
Zach Vukusic (CRO) – Averaging 35 runs per match, Zach again leads the charts for run-scoring potential.Most Wickets Prediction:
While several bowlers have notable performances, Aminul Islam (CYP) and Lovedeep Singh (CYP) have the highest three and four-wicket hauls, but their average wickets per match is listed as 0.0, indicating a spread of wickets rather than consistency. Kresimir Kekez (CRO), with a three-wicket match and a high bowling fantasy point ceiling, could be a dark horse.Match MVP Prediction:
Zach Vukusic (CRO) – With a staggering average of 109 fantasy points per match, Zach is the clear frontrunner for the MVP title.
Team Introductions & Key Stats
Croatia (CRO)
- Matches Played: 42
- Matches Won: 7
- Win Percentage: 16.7%
- Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Zach Vukusic (109 per match)
- Best Batter (Most Career Sixes): Zach Vukusic (19 sixes in 5 matches)
- Best Bowler (Most Career Wickets): Kresimir Kekez (3 wickets in a match, 1 three-wicket haul)
Despite a modest win percentage, Croatia boasts some explosive individual talent, especially in the form of all-rounder Zach Vukusic, who can change the game with both bat and ball.
Cyprus (CYP)
- Matches Played: 31
- Matches Won: 8
- Win Percentage: 25.8%
- Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Scott Burdekin (90 per match)
- Best Batter (Most Career Sixes): Mangala Gunasekara (120 sixes in 73 matches)
- Best Bowler (Most Career Wickets): Aminul Islam (4 wickets in a match, 3 three-wicket hauls, 1 four-wicket haul)
Cyprus enters with a higher win percentage and a more experienced squad, featuring several players with match-winning credentials.
Player Highlights
Croatia (CRO)
Zach Vukusic – All-Rounder
Zach has quickly established a reputation as Croatia’s most dynamic player. In just 5 matches, Zach has amassed 547 fantasy points, averaging an astonishing 109 per match. With 19 sixes and 2 fifties, Zach’s aggressive batting style is tailor-made for T10 cricket. His top score of 76 and a highest single-match fantasy haul of 215 points underline his match-winning potential. Notably, Zach has already claimed a Player of the Match award, with a 20% award ratio.
Sam Houghton – Wicket-Keeper
A mainstay in the Croatian lineup, Sam has played 80 matches, collecting 1,974 fantasy points (25 per match). With 28 sixes, 49 fours, and a top score of 55, Sam is a reliable contributor with the bat. His fielding is equally impressive, with 22 catches and a stumping to his name, averaging 3 fielding fantasy points per match.
Rashid Hashmi – Wicket-Keeper
Rashid brings both experience and flair, with 1,446 fantasy points in 44 matches (33 per match). He has hit 32 sixes and 45 fours, and his 9 stumpings and 19 catches make him a dual threat. Rashid’s 4 Player of the Match awards (9% ratio) highlight his ability to deliver on the big stage.
Alen Magdalenic – All-Rounder
Alen’s 42-match career has yielded 776 fantasy points (18 per match). While his batting numbers are steady, his bowling (312 points, 7 per match) and fielding (11 catches) add valuable depth to the Croatian side.
Cyprus (CYP)
Scott Burdekin – All-Rounder (Captain)
Scott is Cyprus’s fantasy powerhouse, with 3,529 points in 39 matches (90 per match). He’s hammered 103 sixes and 107 fours, with a top score of 112 and a century to his name. Scott’s all-round skills are further evidenced by 653 bowling points and 13 catches. With 7 Player of the Match awards (18% ratio), Scott is a proven match-winner.
Mangala Gunasekara – All-Rounder
Mangala is a T10 specialist, with 4,705 fantasy points in 73 matches (64 per match). He’s the leading six-hitter for Cyprus (120) and has 6 fifties. Mangala’s 13 Player of the Match awards (18% ratio) and 1,268 bowling points make them a true all-round threat.
Roman Mazumder – Wicket-Keeper
Roman’s 106-match career is highlighted by 3,497 fantasy points (33 per match), 57 sixes, and 162 fours. With 7 fifties and 8 Player of the Match awards, Roman is a consistent performer with both bat and gloves.
Aminul Islam – Bowler
Aminul is Cyprus’s leading wicket-taker, with 1,689 fantasy points in 62 matches (27 per match). He has 13 sixes, 3 three-wicket hauls, and a four-wicket match, making him a key figure in the bowling attack. Aminul’s 4 Player of the Match awards (6% ratio) reflect his match-turning ability.
Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head
Zach Vukusic (CRO) vs Scott Burdekin (CYP):
Both are explosive all-rounders and fantasy juggernauts. Zach edges ahead in sixes per match (3 vs 2) and runs per match (35 vs 30), while Scott has more experience and a higher top score (112).Kresimir Kekez (CRO) vs Aminul Islam (CYP):
Both have three-wicket hauls, but Aminul’s consistency (3 three-wicket matches, 1 four-wicket match) and higher fantasy average (27 per match) make him a more reliable bowling pick.Sam Houghton (CRO) vs Roman Mazumder (CYP):
Both wicket-keepers are strong with the bat and gloves. Roman’s higher match count and more fifties give him the edge in experience.
Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations
Safe Choices:
- Zach Vukusic (CRO): Highest fantasy average, most sixes, and runs per match.
- Scott Burdekin (CYP): Consistent all-rounder, high fantasy ceiling, and proven match-winner.
Bold Choices:
- Mangala Gunasekara (CYP): Explosive with both bat and ball, high sixes tally.
- Rashid Hashmi (CRO): Dual threat with bat and gloves, high fielding points.
Insights & Key Matchups
Potential Game-Changers:
- Zach Vukusic (CRO): Can single-handedly swing the match with his power-hitting and all-round skills.
- Scott Burdekin (CYP): Cyprus’s captain and talisman, capable of dominating with both bat and ball.
- Mangala Gunasekara (CYP): The most experienced six-hitter, can accelerate the scoring rate rapidly.
- Aminul Islam (CYP): The bowler most likely to break partnerships and stem the run flow.
Fantasy X-Factors:
- Rashid Hashmi (CRO): High fielding and batting points make him a valuable fantasy pick.
- Roman Mazumder (CYP): Consistent with the bat and behind the stumps.
Conclusion
The opening match of ECI Croatia-Cyprus, 2025 promises fireworks, with both teams fielding players capable of turning the game in a matter of overs. While Croatia will rely on the explosive Zach Vukusic and the steady hands of Sam Houghton and Rashid Hashmi, Cyprus counters with the all-round brilliance of Scott Burdekin, the power of Mangala Gunasekara, and the bowling prowess of Aminul Islam. Expect a fiercely contested T10 encounter at the Mladost Cricket Ground, where individual brilliance could be the difference.
Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling start to the tournament!
- Zach Vukusic – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 109.0 – CRO
- Scott Burdekin – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 90.0 – CYP
- Mangala Gunasekara – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 64.0 – CYP
- Aman Chaubey – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 40.0 – CRO
- Rashid Hashmi – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 33.0 – CRO
- Roman Mazumder – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 33.0 – CYP
- Aminul Islam – Bowler – Avg. Points: 27.0 – CYP
- Roshan Siriwardena – Batsman – Avg. Points: 27.0 – CYP
- Sam Houghton – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 25.0 – CRO
- Kresimir Kekez – Bowler – Avg. Points: 25.0 – CRO
- Alexander Senn – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 22.0 – CYP
Number of players from each team:
• Cyprus (CYP): 6
• Croatia (CRO): 5
Number of players from each skill type:
• All-Rounder: 5
• Wicket-Keeper: 3
• Bowler: 2
• Batsman: 1
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