ECN’s recent tour to Sofia, Bulgaria was a celebration of cricket’s growing footprint in Europe, featuring three dynamic events across domestic and international formats. The picturesque Vasil Levski National Sports Academy set the stage for an unforgettable fortnight of action.
The tour began with the ECS Bulgaria, where six teams battled through 30 league games, culminating in a competitive Finals Day featuring BCC Spartan, BCC/MUS Plovdiv, Sofia Stars, and MUS Akademik Ravens.
In the Eliminator, BCC Spartan knocked out BCC/MUS Plovdiv.
Sofia Stars secured a direct spot in the final after winning Qualifier 1 against MUS Akademik Ravens.
The Ravens, however, bounced back in Qualifier 2, defeating BCC Spartan to set up a rematch with Sofia Stars in the final.
In the final, Sofia Stars won the toss and opted to field. MUS Akademik Ravens posted a competitive 121 in 10 overs. Despite a spirited chase, Sofia Stars fell short by 11 runs, handing the Ravens a well-earned ECS title.
Salarzai Israel of MUS Akademik Ravens was named MVP for his outstanding bowling performances, topping the charts with 13 wickets.
The women’s T20I event featured Bulgaria hosting Greece, Serbia, and Turkiye. After the round-robin stage, Turkiye and Greece emerged as the top two sides. In the final, Turkiye held their nerve to beat Greece by 10 runs, showcasing the increasing competitiveness in women's cricket across the region.
The final leg of the tour saw the Bulgaria men's side take on Gibraltar and Turkiye in an international T20I series. After an exciting group stage, Bulgaria and Gibraltar locked horns in a high-octane final.
Gibraltar batted first and piled up a commanding 194. However, the Bulgarian batters responded with flair and firepower, chasing down the target in under 17 overs.
The standout moment of the tour came when Manan Bashir of Bulgaria etched his name into cricketing folklore by becoming only the sixth batter in international cricket to hit six sixes in an over — an iconic feat that electrified the cricketing world.