ECN Croatia-Cyprus T20I, 2025: CRO vs CYP – 3rd T20I Pre-Match Analysis
Event: ECN Croatia-Cyprus T20I, 2025
Match: Croatia (CRO) vs Cyprus (CYP), Single Group Match Day 2, Match 3 (3rd T20I)
Date: 8 August 2025
Start Time: 09:00 Local Time (Zagreb) | 11:30 IST
Venue: Mladost Cricket Ground, Zagreb
Format: T20
Toss: Croatia won the toss and elected to bat
Match Type: Group Match
Spotlight on the Stars: Who Will Shine Brightest?
As the ECN Croatia-Cyprus T20I, 2025 continues to gather momentum, all eyes turn to the Mladost Cricket Ground in Zagreb for the third T20I between hosts Croatia and a determined Cyprus side. With Croatia opting to set a target, the stage is set for a high-octane contest featuring some of the most dynamic talents from both teams.
Predicted Standouts
Most Sixes:
Zach Vukusic (CRO) – With a career average of 3 sixes per match, Vukusic is the clear favourite to clear the ropes most often.Most Runs:
Zach Vukusic (CRO) – Averaging 35 runs per match, Vukusic is also the leading candidate to top-score.Most Wickets:
Waqar Ali (CYP) – With a career-best of 5 wickets in a match and a high bowling fantasy point ceiling, Ali is the bowler to watch.Match MVP:
Zach Vukusic (CRO) – Boasting an extraordinary 109 average fantasy points per match, Vukusic is the all-round fantasy leader.
Team Introductions & Key Stats
Croatia (CRO)
- Matches Played: 40
- Matches Won: 7
- Win Percentage: 17.5%
- Strongest Player (Avg. Fantasy Points): Zach Vukusic (109 per match)
- Best Batter (Most Career Sixes): Zach Vukusic (19 sixes in 5 matches, 3 per match)
- Best Bowler (Most Career Wickets): Hariprasad Sathedeevi (2 three-wicket hauls, 886 bowling fantasy points)
Cyprus (CYP)
- Matches Played: 29
- Matches Won: 6
- Win Percentage: 20.7%
- Strongest Player (Avg. Fantasy Points): Scott Burdekin (90 per match)
- Best Batter (Most Career Sixes): Mangala Gunasekara (120 sixes in 73 matches, 1 per match)
- Best Bowler (Most Career Wickets): Waqar Ali (5 wickets in a match, 1556 bowling fantasy points)
Player Highlights
Croatia (CRO)
Zach Vukusic (All-Rounder, Captain)
With just 5 matches under their belt, Vukusic has already amassed 547 career fantasy points, averaging a staggering 109 per match. Their batting is explosive—19 sixes and 10 fours, with two fifties and a top score of 76. Vukusic’s all-round prowess is further highlighted by 92 bowling fantasy points and 36 fielding points, including a match with 3 catches. With a Player of the Match award in 20% of their games, Vukusic is Croatia’s game-changer.
Saghar Manzoor (Batsman)
A seasoned campaigner with 46 matches, Manzoor has 1834 career fantasy points (40 per match). Their batting is consistent, with 54 sixes, 71 fours, and a top score of 64. Manzoor’s fielding is reliable, with 10 catches. With 4 Player of the Match awards, Manzoor is a proven performer in pressure situations.
Hariprasad Sathedeevi (Batsman)
Sathedeevi brings experience with 46 matches and 2033 fantasy points (44 per match). While not a big six-hitter, their all-round value is evident with 841 batting and 886 bowling fantasy points, including two three-wicket hauls. Sathedeevi’s fielding (15 catches) adds further value.
Oliver Tilley (Batsman)
In just 5 matches, Tilley has 324 fantasy points (65 per match), highlighted by a massive 185-point game. With 11 fours, 6 sixes, and a top score of 83, Tilley is a rising star. Their fielding and bowling contributions are modest but growing.
Cyprus (CYP)
Scott Burdekin (All-Rounder, Captain)
Burdekin is Cyprus’s talisman, with 3529 fantasy points in 39 matches (90 per match). Their batting is formidable—103 sixes, 107 fours, 9 fifties, and a century. With 653 bowling points and 13 catches, Burdekin is a true all-rounder. Seven Player of the Match awards underscore their match-winning ability.
Mangala Gunasekara (All-Rounder)
Gunasekara’s 4705 fantasy points in 73 matches (64 per match) reflect their consistency. With 120 sixes, 131 fours, and 6 fifties, they are a boundary-hitting machine. Their bowling (1268 points) and fielding (16 catches) make them a triple threat.
Roman Mazumder (Wicket-Keeper)
Mazumder’s 3497 fantasy points in 106 matches (33 per match) come from a blend of batting (2558 points), bowling (533), and fielding (16 catches). With 57 sixes and 162 fours, Mazumder is a reliable contributor across all departments.
Waqar Ali (Bowler)
Ali is Cyprus’s strike bowler, with 1881 fantasy points in 82 matches (23 per match). Their bowling is lethal—1556 points, a five-wicket haul, and a match-best 163 bowling points. Ali’s ability to turn matches with the ball is unmatched in the Cyprus squad.
Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head
Zach Vukusic (CRO) vs Scott Burdekin (CYP):
Both are all-rounders and captains, with Vukusic averaging 109 fantasy points per match and Burdekin 90. Vukusic’s six-hitting (3 per match) edges Burdekin’s (2 per match), but Burdekin’s experience and all-round stats make this a marquee battle.Hariprasad Sathedeevi (CRO) vs Waqar Ali (CYP):
Sathedeevi’s all-round numbers (44 fantasy points per match, 2 three-wicket hauls) will be tested by Ali’s wicket-taking ability (5 wickets in a match, 19 bowling points per match).Saghar Manzoor (CRO) vs Mangala Gunasekara (CYP):
Both are prolific batters, with Manzoor’s 54 sixes and Gunasekara’s 120. Gunasekara’s all-round skills and higher fantasy average (64 vs 40) give them the edge.
Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations
Safe Choices:
- Zach Vukusic (CRO): Highest fantasy average, explosive with bat and handy with ball.
- Scott Burdekin (CYP): Consistent all-rounder, proven match-winner.
Bold Picks:
- Mangala Gunasekara (CYP): High ceiling with both bat and ball, capable of huge fantasy hauls.
- Oliver Tilley (CRO): High-impact player with a 185-point match in their short career.
Insights & Key Matchups
Potential Game-Changers:
- Zach Vukusic could dominate with both bat and ball, given their all-round numbers and six-hitting prowess.
- Scott Burdekin and Mangala Gunasekara are Cyprus’s best hopes for a match-winning performance, with their ability to contribute in all facets.
- Waqar Ali’s wicket-taking spells could be decisive, especially if Croatia’s top order falters.
Fantasy Watch:
- All-rounders are likely to dominate the fantasy charts, with Vukusic, Burdekin, and Gunasekara offering the best blend of risk and reward.
- Batters like Saghar Manzoor and Roman Mazumder are reliable picks for steady points.
Conclusion
The 3rd T20I of the ECN Croatia-Cyprus T20I, 2025 promises a thrilling contest between two sides eager to make their mark. With Croatia looking to leverage home advantage and Cyprus boasting a more experienced core, the match could hinge on the performances of their all-rounders and power hitters. Expect fireworks at the Mladost Cricket Ground as both teams vie for supremacy in this crucial group encounter.
Stay tuned for live action and updates from Zagreb!
- Zach Vukusic – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 109.0 – CRO
- Scott Burdekin – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 90.0 – CYP
- Oliver Tilley – Batsman – Avg. Points: 65.0 – CRO
- Mangala Gunasekara – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 64.0 – CYP
- Charles Bevin – Batsman – Avg. Points: 56.0 – CRO
- Hariprasad Sathedeevi – Batsman – Avg. Points: 44.0 – CRO
- Saghar Manzoor – Batsman – Avg. Points: 40.0 – CRO
- Scott Bevin – Bowler – Avg. Points: 34.0 – CRO
- Roman Mazumder – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 33.0 – CYP
- Sam Houghton – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 25.0 – CRO
- Roshan Siriwardena – Batsman – Avg. Points: 27.0 – CYP
Number of players from each team:
- Croatia (CRO): 7
- Cyprus (CYP): 4
Number of players from each skill type:
- All-Rounder: 3
- Batsman: 5
- Bowler: 1
- Wicket-Keeper: 2
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