ECN Croatia-Cyprus T20I, 2025: CRO vs CYP – 4th T20I Pre-Match Preview

Match: ECN Croatia-Cyprus T20I, 2025 Single Group Match Day 2 Match 4 (4th T20I)
Teams: Croatia (CRO) vs Cyprus (CYP)
Date: 8 August 2025
Start Time: 13:30 Local Time | 16:00 IST
Venue: Mladost Cricket Ground, Zagreb
Format: T20
Match Type: Group Match
Toss: Cyprus won the toss and elected to bat

Spotlight on the Stars: Who Will Shine Brightest?

As the ECN Croatia-Cyprus T20I, 2025 continues, all eyes turn to the 4th T20I, where hosts Croatia (CRO) face off against Cyprus (CYP) in what promises to be a high-octane group stage encounter. With Cyprus opting to set a target, the stage is set for individual brilliance and team strategy to take center stage at the picturesque Mladost Cricket Ground.

Predicted Standouts

  • Most Sixes:
    Zach Vukusic (CRO) – With a career average of 3 sixes per match, Vukusic is the clear favorite 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 strong average of 19 bowling fantasy points per match, Waqar Ali is the bowler to watch.

  • Match MVP:
    Scott Burdekin (CYP) – With a stellar average of 90 fantasy points per match over his career, Burdekin is the top all-round fantasy performer.

Team Overviews

Croatia (CRO)

  • Matches Played: 41
  • Matches Won: 7
  • Win Percentage: 17.1%
  • Team Colors: Blue (Primary), Red (Secondary)

Key Players:

  • Top Fantasy Performer: Zach Vukusic (109 avg. fantasy points/match)
  • Most Sixes (Career): Saghar Manzoor (54 sixes)
  • Most Wickets (Career): No bowler with a significant wicket-taking record; all key bowlers have 0 average wickets per match.

Cyprus (CYP)

  • Matches Played: 30
  • Matches Won: 7
  • Win Percentage: 23.3%
  • Team Colors: Dark Green (Primary), Green (Secondary)

Key Players:

  • Top Fantasy Performer: Scott Burdekin (90 avg. fantasy points/match)
  • Most Sixes (Career): Mangala Gunasekara (120 sixes)
  • Most Wickets (Career): Waqar Ali (career-best 5 wickets in a match, 19 avg. bowling fantasy points/match)

Player Highlights

Croatia (CRO)

1. Zach Vukusic – All-Rounder (CRO)

Vukusic has been a revelation for Croatia, boasting an extraordinary average of 109 fantasy points per match across just 5 games. With 19 sixes and 2 fifties already, their aggressive batting (35 runs per match) and ability to clear the ropes (3 sixes per match) make them a game-changer. Vukusic’s all-round skills are further highlighted by a top score of 76 and a highest single-match fantasy haul of 215 points. With a Player of the Match award in 20% of their games, Vukusic is Croatia’s X-factor.

2. Saghar Manzoor – Batsman (CRO)

A consistent performer, Manzoor has accumulated 1834 career fantasy points (40 per match) and is Croatia’s leading six-hitter with 54 maximums. Their ability to anchor the innings is evident from 2 career fifties and a top score of 64. With 4 Player of the Match awards, Manzoor’s experience and power-hitting will be crucial.

3. Oliver Tilley – Batsman (CRO)

Tilley’s short but impactful career (5 matches) features a remarkable 65 average fantasy points per match and a top score of 83. With a fifty and 6 sixes, Tilley’s aggressive approach can provide the early impetus. Their Player of the Match ratio (0.2) signals a knack for big performances.

4. Hariprasad Sathedeevi – Batsman (CRO)

Sathedeevi brings balance with 44 average fantasy points per match and 41 career sixes. Their dual contribution with bat and ball (19 avg. bowling fantasy points) makes them a valuable asset. A Player of the Match award further underlines their match-winning potential.

Cyprus (CYP)

1. Scott Burdekin – All-Rounder (CYP)

Burdekin is Cyprus’s fantasy juggernaut, averaging 90 points per match. With 103 sixes, 9 fifties, and a century, their batting is both explosive and consistent (30 runs per match). Burdekin’s all-round prowess is further highlighted by 653 bowling fantasy points and a Player of the Match ratio of 0.18.

2. Mangala Gunasekara – All-Rounder (CYP)

Gunasekara is a true all-rounder, with 4705 career fantasy points (64 per match), 120 sixes, and 6 fifties. Their batting (19 runs per match) and bowling (17 avg. bowling fantasy points) make them a dual threat. With 13 Player of the Match awards, Gunasekara is a proven match-winner.

3. Waqar Ali – Bowler (CYP)

Ali is Cyprus’s leading wicket-taker, with a career-best 5-wicket haul and 1556 bowling fantasy points (19 per match). Their ability to deliver in crunch moments is reflected in 6 Player of the Match awards and a highest single-match fantasy score of 205.

4. Roman Mazumder – Wicket-Keeper (CYP)

Mazumder’s consistency is evident in 3497 career fantasy points (33 per match) and 57 sixes. With 7 fifties and 8 Player of the Match awards, Mazumder is a reliable performer behind the stumps and with the bat.

Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head

  • Zach Vukusic (CRO) vs Waqar Ali (CYP):
    Vukusic’s aggressive batting (35 runs, 3 sixes per match) will be tested by Ali’s wicket-taking ability (5-wicket best, 19 avg. bowling fantasy points).

  • Scott Burdekin (CYP) vs Hariprasad Sathedeevi (CRO):
    Both are all-rounders with high fantasy impact. Burdekin’s 90 avg. fantasy points and 2 sixes per match face Sathedeevi’s 44 avg. fantasy points and 19 avg. bowling fantasy points.

  • Mangala Gunasekara (CYP) vs Saghar Manzoor (CRO):
    Gunasekara’s 120 sixes and 64 avg. fantasy points per match will be a direct challenge to Manzoor’s 54 sixes and 40 avg. fantasy points.

Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations

Safe Choices:

  • Scott Burdekin (CYP): Consistent all-rounder, high fantasy ceiling, and proven match-winner.
  • Zach Vukusic (CRO): Explosive all-rounder, highest average fantasy points per match.

Bold Picks:

  • Mangala Gunasekara (CYP): High six-hitting potential and all-round contributions.
  • Waqar Ali (CYP): Leading wicket-taker, capable of game-changing spells.

Insights & Key Matchups

  • Potential Game-Changers:

    • Zach Vukusic (CRO): Can single-handedly alter the game with both bat and ball.
    • Scott Burdekin (CYP): All-round skills make them a threat in every phase.
    • Mangala Gunasekara (CYP): Six-hitting prowess and all-round ability.
    • Waqar Ali (CYP): Strike bowler with a history of big hauls.

  • Fantasy Focus:

    • All-rounders dominate the fantasy landscape in this fixture.
    • Batters with high six-hitting rates (Vukusic, Gunasekara, Burdekin) are prime picks.
    • Waqar Ali’s wicket-taking ability could be the difference in a tight contest.

Final Word

With both teams boasting explosive all-rounders and power-hitters, the 4th T20I between Croatia and Cyprus is set for fireworks. Expect a contest where individual brilliance could tip the scales, and fantasy managers will be spoilt for choice with so many high-impact players on display.

  1. Zach Vukusic – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 109.0 – CRO
  2. Oliver Tilley – Batsman – Avg. Points: 65.0 – CRO
  3. Mangala Gunasekara – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 64.0 – CYP
  4. Scott Burdekin – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 90.0 – CYP
  5. Saghar Manzoor – Batsman – Avg. Points: 40.0 – CRO
  6. Scott Bevin – Bowler – Avg. Points: 34.0 – CRO
  7. Roman Mazumder – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 33.0 – CYP
  8. Aminul Islam – Bowler – Avg. Points: 27.0 – CYP
  9. Sam Houghton – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 25.0 – CRO
  10. Waqar Ali – Bowler – Avg. Points: 23.0 – CYP
  11. Hardeep Singh – Batsman – Avg. Points: 23.0 – CYP

Number of players from each team:

  • Croatia (CRO): 6
  • Cyprus (CYP): 5

Number of players from each skill type:

  • All-Rounder: 3
  • Batsman: 3
  • Bowler: 3
  • Wicket-Keeper: 2

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