ECS Belgium, 2025: Leuven Lions vs Antwerp Giants – Match 4 Preview
Event: ECS Belgium, 2025
Match: Leuven Lions (LL) vs Antwerp Giants (AG) – Single Group Match Day 1, Match 4
Date: 7 July 2025
Start Time: 14:45 Local Time | 17:15 IST
Venue: Stars Arena Hofstade, Zemst
Format: T10
Match Type: Group Match
Toss: Antwerp Giants won the toss and elected to bat
Setting the Stage
The ECS Belgium, 2025 continues to deliver high-octane T10 action as the Leuven Lions (LL) take on the Antwerp Giants (AG) in Match 4 of the opening group stage. With both teams eager to stamp their authority early in the tournament, this encounter at the Stars Arena Hofstade, Zemst, promises fireworks and fierce competition. The Antwerp Giants, having won the toss, will look to set a challenging total, putting the onus on their batters to deliver.
Predicted Standouts: Who Will Shine?
Most Sixes:
Wahidullah Jabarkhel (LL) – With a career average of 2 sixes per match (34 sixes in 15 matches), Jabarkhel is the most prolific six-hitter in this contest.Most Runs:
Wahidullah Jabarkhel (LL) – Averaging 22 runs per match, Jabarkhel is also the leading candidate to top-score.Most Wickets:
Ilyas Zaheer (AG) – With a career average of 1 wicket per match, Zaheer stands out as the most consistent wicket-taker among both squads.Match MVP:
Wahidullah Jabarkhel (LL) – Boasting an impressive 62 average fantasy points per match over his career, Jabarkhel is the top all-round fantasy performer.
Team Introductions & Key Players
Leuven Lions (LL)
The Leuven Lions bring a blend of experience and explosive talent to the ECS Belgium, 2025. Their squad is headlined by Wahidullah Jabarkhel, who not only leads in sixes and runs but also tops the fantasy charts for the team. The Lions’ bowling attack is spearheaded by Ravi Thapliyal, who has the most career wickets (1 per match on average) and is a proven match-winner with the ball.
- Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Wahidullah Jabarkhel (62 per match)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): All players have 2.0 per match so far
- Most Career Sixes (Batter): Wahidullah Jabarkhel (34)
- Most Career Wickets (Bowler): Ravi Thapliyal (1 per match)
- Team Stats: Matches played, wins, and win percentage data not available
Antwerp Giants (AG)
The Antwerp Giants are a formidable unit, with depth in both batting and bowling. Abdul Rashid is their fantasy points leader, while Burhan Niaz and Saber Zakhil provide all-round strength. Mansoor Malangzai is the team’s leading six-hitter, and Ilyas Zaheer is the most reliable wicket-taker.
- Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Ilyas Zaheer (45 per match)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): No event points yet
- Most Career Sixes (Batter): Saber Zakhil (50)
- Most Career Wickets (Bowler): Ilyas Zaheer (1 per match)
- Team Stats: Matches played, wins, and win percentage data not available
Player Highlights
Leuven Lions (LL)
Wahidullah Jabarkhel – Batsman
Jabarkhel is the Lions’ talisman, with 936 career fantasy points and a staggering 62 points per match. His 34 sixes and 4 fifties in just 15 matches underline his ability to dominate T10 cricket. With 2 Player of the Match awards and a top score of 94, Jabarkhel is a genuine match-winner.
Harman Ghuman – Batsman
Ghuman brings consistency, with 711 career fantasy points and a 36-point average per match. He has hit 24 sixes and 28 fours, and his top score of 59 shows his ability to anchor the innings. Ghuman has also claimed a Player of the Match award, reflecting his impact.
Ravi Thapliyal – Bowler
Thapliyal is the Lions’ bowling spearhead, with 733 career fantasy points and a 49-point average per match. He has taken 1 wicket per match on average, with a best of 4 wickets in a single game. His all-round contributions, including 5 catches, make him a valuable asset.
Irfanullah Pashai – Bowler
Pashai has 332 career fantasy points and averages 33 per match. With 11 sixes and a fifty to his name, he is a handy lower-order batter. His bowling and fielding contributions add depth to the Lions’ lineup.
Antwerp Giants (AG)
Abdul Rashid – Wicket Keeper
Rashid is the Giants’ fantasy leader, with 1,153 points and a 33-point average per match. He has hit 37 sixes and 39 fours, and his 8 catches highlight his fielding prowess. Rashid’s consistency makes him a top fantasy pick.
Ilyas Zaheer – All Rounder
Zaheer stands out with a 45-point fantasy average per match. He has 4 sixes and 1 wicket per match, making him the Giants’ most reliable bowler. His all-round skills are crucial in the T10 format.
Saber Zakhil – All Rounder
Zakhil is a six-hitting machine, with 50 career sixes and 1,943 fantasy points. He has 7 Player of the Match awards, reflecting his match-winning ability. Zakhil’s all-round contributions make him a player to watch.
Mansoor Malangzai – Batsman
Malangzai has 581 career fantasy points and 27 sixes. With a fifty and a top score of 55, he is capable of explosive innings. His fielding adds further value to the Giants’ side.
Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head
Wahidullah Jabarkhel (LL) vs Saber Zakhil (AG):
Jabarkhel leads in sixes per match (2.0) and runs per match (22), while Zakhil has more career sixes (50) but a lower average per match. Both are capable of turning the game with the bat.Ravi Thapliyal (LL) vs Ilyas Zaheer (AG):
Thapliyal averages 1 wicket per match and 39 bowling fantasy points, while Zaheer matches him with 1 wicket per match and 27 bowling fantasy points. This battle could decide the outcome.Abdul Rashid (AG) vs Harman Ghuman (LL):
Rashid’s consistency (33 fantasy points per match) and Ghuman’s power (36 per match) make this a fascinating contest for fantasy managers.
Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations
Safe Choices:
- Captain: Wahidullah Jabarkhel (LL) – Highest fantasy average, most sixes, and runs.
- Vice-Captain: Abdul Rashid (AG) – Consistent fantasy performer and reliable with the bat and gloves.
Bold Choices:
- Captain: Saber Zakhil (AG) – High ceiling with 7 Player of the Match awards and explosive six-hitting.
- Vice-Captain: Ravi Thapliyal (LL) – All-rounder with wicket-taking ability and fielding points.
Insights & Key Matchups
This match is set to be a battle of big hitters and crafty bowlers. The Lions will rely heavily on Jabarkhel’s explosive batting and Thapliyal’s bowling, while the Giants have the all-round firepower of Zakhil and the consistency of Rashid and Zaheer. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on these players, as their performances are likely to shape the outcome.
Potential Game-Changers:
- Wahidullah Jabarkhel (LL): Can single-handedly win matches with the bat.
- Saber Zakhil (AG): Capable of turning the game with both bat and ball.
- Ilyas Zaheer (AG): Key wicket-taker in the T10 format.
- Ravi Thapliyal (LL): All-round contributions could swing the match.
With both teams boasting match-winners, expect a thrilling contest as the ECS Belgium, 2025 continues to showcase the best of T10 cricket.
Stay tuned for live updates and post-match analysis on the official ECS Belgium, 2025 website!
- Wahidullah Jabarkhel – Batsman – Avg. Points: 62.0 – LL
- Ravi Thapliyal – Bowler – Avg. Points: 49.0 – LL
- Ilyas Zaheer – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 45.0 – AG
- Jamil Syed – Batsman – Avg. Points: 40.0 – AG
- Harman Ghuman – Batsman – Avg. Points: 36.0 – LL
- Abdul Rashid – Wicket Keeper – Avg. Points: 33.0 – AG
- Irfanullah Pashai – Bowler – Avg. Points: 33.0 – LL
- Said Hakim – Batsman – Avg. Points: 29.0 – AG
- Saber Zakhil – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 27.0 – AG
- Gagan Mann – Bowler – Avg. Points: 26.0 – LL
- Burhan Niaz – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 25.0 – AG
Number of players from each team:
- Antwerp Giants (AG): 6
- Leuven Lions (LL): 5
Number of players from each skill type:
- Batsman: 4
- Bowler: 3
- All Rounder: 3
- Wicket Keeper: 1
