ECN Bulgaria T20I, 2025: Gibraltar (GIB) vs Bulgaria (BUL) – Match 4 Preview
Event: ECN Bulgaria T20I, 2025
Match: Gibraltar vs Bulgaria, Single Group Match Day 2, Match 4
Date: 11 July 2025
Start Time: 14:00 Local Time | 15:30 IST
Venue: Vasil Levski National Sports Academy
Format: T20
Match Type: Group Match
Toss: Bulgaria won the toss and elected to field
Spotlight on the Stars: Who Will Shine Brightest?
As the ECN Bulgaria T20I, 2025 continues to gather momentum, all eyes turn to Match 4, where hosts Bulgaria (BUL) take on Gibraltar (GIB) in what promises to be a pivotal group stage encounter. With Bulgaria opting to field first, the stage is set for a contest brimming with individual brilliance and team strategy.
Predicted Standouts
- Most Sixes:Manan Bashir (BUL) – With a career average of 2.0 sixes per match and a staggering 175 sixes in 61 matches, Bashir is the clear favourite to clear the ropes most often.
- Most Runs:Manan Bashir (BUL) – Averaging 25 runs per match, Bashir’s consistency at the top makes them the batter to watch.
- Most Wickets:Milen Gogev (BUL) – With a career average of 1.0 wickets per match in limited appearances, Gogev’s early impact could be crucial.
- Match MVP:Bakhtiar Tahiri (BUL) – Boasting an average of 77 fantasy points per match, Tahiri’s all-round prowess makes them a top candidate for the MVP award.
Team Introductions & Key Stats
Bulgaria (BUL)
- Matches Played: 39
- Matches Won: 12
- Win Percentage: 30.8%
- Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Bakhtiar Tahiri (77 points/match)
- Top Batter (Most Career Sixes): Manan Bashir (175 sixes)
- Top Bowler (Most Career Wickets): Zeerak Chughtai (5 wickets in a match, 3 three-wicket hauls)
Bulgaria, donning their green and red, have a dynamic squad with several match-winners. While their win percentage may not dazzle, their individual talents—especially in the batting department—are among the best in the tournament.
Gibraltar (GIB)
- Matches Played: 30
- Matches Won: 14
- Win Percentage: 46.7%
- Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Chris Pyle (56 points/match)
- Top Batter (Most Career Sixes): Chris Pyle (19 sixes)
- Top Bowler (Most Career Wickets): Kabir Mirpuri (3 wickets in a match)
Gibraltar, in black and red, have a more balanced record and a reputation for punching above their weight. Their experienced core and reliable all-rounders make them a formidable opponent.
Player Highlights
Bulgaria (BUL)
Manan Bashir – Batsman, BUL
A true entertainer, Bashir’s numbers speak volumes: 61 matches, 175 sixes, 2 hundreds, and 11 fifties. With 3931 career fantasy points (64 per match), Bashir is a fantasy favourite and a proven match-winner, having claimed 8 Player of the Match awards (13% of matches). Their ability to dominate bowling attacks and clear boundaries at will makes them a key threat.
Bakhtiar Tahiri – Batsman, BUL
Tahiri’s all-round value is immense: 41 matches, 63 sixes, 8 fifties, and a top score of 99. With a career fantasy average of 77 points per match and 7 Player of the Match awards (17%), Tahiri is the most consistent fantasy performer in this fixture. Their ability to contribute with both bat and ball (3 three-wicket hauls) makes them indispensable.
Chris Lakov – All Rounder, BUL (Captain)
Lakov brings leadership and versatility, with 76 matches and 3885 career fantasy points (51 per match). With 7 fifties and 38 sixes, Lakov is a reliable middle-order batter and a handy bowler, having bowled a maiden and taken 26 catches. Their all-round skills and captaincy experience are vital for Bulgaria’s campaign.
Zeerak Chughtai – Batsman, BUL
Chughtai is a dynamic batter with 51 matches, 38 sixes, and 3 fifties. Their 3190 career fantasy points (63 per match) and 7 Player of the Match awards (13.7%) highlight their match-winning potential. Notably, Chughtai has a five-wicket haul, underlining their all-round credentials.
Gibraltar (GIB)
Chris Pyle – Wicket Keeper, GIB
Pyle is Gibraltar’s most consistent fantasy performer, averaging 56 points per match from 16 games. With 19 sixes, 39 fours, and a top score of 88, Pyle is a reliable presence at the top. Their wicket-keeping skills (9 stumpings) and ability to produce big fantasy hauls (204 points in a match) make them a top pick.
Iain Latin – All Rounder, GIB (Captain)
Latin’s leadership is backed by 60 matches and 9 Player of the Match awards (15%). While their batting and bowling averages are modest (4 runs, 0 wickets per match), their experience and knack for stepping up in big moments (highest fantasy score: 158) are invaluable.
Louis Bruce – All Rounder, GIB
Bruce is a proven all-rounder with 63 matches, 32 sixes, and 5 fifties. With 1709 career fantasy points (27 per match) and 8 Player of the Match awards (12.7%), Bruce’s ability to contribute in all departments makes them a key asset.
Kabir Mirpuri – Bowler, GIB
Mirpuri’s 35 matches have yielded 848 fantasy points (24 per match) and a best bowling performance of 3 wickets in a match. Their ability to break partnerships and deliver under pressure will be crucial for Gibraltar’s bowling attack.
Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head
- Manan Bashir (BUL) vs Chris Pyle (GIB): Both are their team’s leading six-hitters and fantasy scorers. Bashir’s 2.0 sixes per match and 25 runs per match edge out Pyle’s 1.0 sixes and 19 runs per match, but Pyle’s wicket-keeping adds extra value.
- Bakhtiar Tahiri (BUL) vs Louis Bruce (GIB): Both are all-rounders with high fantasy impact. Tahiri’s 77 points per match and 22 runs per match outshine Bruce’s 27 points and 7 runs per match, but Bruce’s experience and 5 fifties keep them in the contest.
- Zeerak Chughtai (BUL) vs Kabir Mirpuri (GIB): Chughtai’s five-wicket haul and 63 points per match make them a more explosive option compared to Mirpuri’s steady 24 points per match and best of 3 wickets.
Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations
Safe Choices:
- Captain: Bakhtiar Tahiri (BUL) – Highest fantasy average, consistent all-rounder.
- Vice-Captain: Manan Bashir (BUL) – Explosive batter, most sixes, and high fantasy ceiling.
Bold Choices:
- Captain: Chris Pyle (GIB) – High fantasy average, wicket-keeping bonus.
- Vice-Captain: Zeerak Chughtai (BUL) – Capable of big hauls with both bat and ball.
Insights & Key Matchups
- Potential Game-Changers:
- Bakhtiar Tahiri and Manan Bashir for Bulgaria, with their ability to dominate with the bat and contribute with the ball.
- Chris Pyle and Louis Bruce for Gibraltar, who can turn the match with a big knock or a crucial stumping/catch.
- Bowling X-Factor:
- Zeerak Chughtai (BUL) and Kabir Mirpuri (GIB) – Both have the ability to break partnerships and swing momentum.
With Bulgaria’s explosive batting and Gibraltar’s balanced approach, this match promises to be a closely fought contest. Fantasy managers and fans alike should keep a close eye on the all-rounders and big hitters, as they are likely to decide the outcome at the Vasil Levski National Sports Academy.
Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling encounter in the ECN Bulgaria T20I, 2025!
- Bakhtiar Tahiri – Batsman – Avg. Points: 77.0 – BUL
- Milen Gogev – Bowler – Avg. Points: 75.0 – BUL
- Manan Bashir – Batsman – Avg. Points: 64.0 – BUL
- Zeerak Chughtai – Batsman – Avg. Points: 63.0 – BUL
- Chris Pyle – Wicket Keeper – Avg. Points: 56.0 – GIB
- Isa Zaroo – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 54.0 – BUL
- Chris Lakov – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 51.0 – BUL
- Prakash Mishra – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 45.0 – BUL
- Jakob Gul – Wicket Keeper – Avg. Points: 39.0 – BUL
- Gagandeep Singh – Bowler – Avg. Points: 37.0 – BUL
- Ali Rasool – Bowler – Avg. Points: 37.0 – BUL
Number of players from each team:
- BUL (Bulgaria): 9
- GIB (Gibraltar): 2
Number of players from each skill type:
- Batsman: 3
- Bowler: 4
- All Rounder: 3
- Wicket Keeper: 2
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