ECS Bulgaria, 2025: MUS Akademik Ravens vs Sofia Stars – Group A, Match Day 2, Match 8 – Preview
Event: ECS Bulgaria, 2025
Match: MUS Akademik Ravens (MUS) vs Sofia Stars (SFS)
Match Number: Group A Match Day 2, Match 8
Date: 1 July 2025
Start Time: 12:45 Local Time | 14:15 IST
Venue: Vasil Levski National Sports Academy
Format: T10
Toss: Sofia Stars won the toss and elected to bat
Match Type: Group Match
Spotlight on the Stars: Who Will Shine Brightest?
As ECS Bulgaria, 2025 continues to deliver high-octane T10 action, all eyes turn to the Vasil Levski National Sports Academy for a pivotal Group A clash between the formidable MUS Akademik Ravens and the in-form Sofia Stars. With both teams boasting impressive win records and a host of match-winners, this encounter promises fireworks.
Predicted Standouts for Key Match Stats
- Most Sixes:Manan Bashir (MUS) – With a career average of 2 sixes per match and a staggering 137 career sixes, Bashir is the clear favorite to clear the ropes most often.
- Most Runs:Murad Khan (SFS) – An explosive debut with 55 runs in his only match gives him a career average of 55 runs per match, making him the batter to watch.
- Most Wickets:Murad Khan (SFS) – Also leads with a career average of 2 wickets per match, making him a dual threat.
- Match MVP:Bakhtiar Tahiri (SFS) – With a career average of 84 fantasy points per match, Tahiri is the top all-round fantasy performer in this contest.
Team Introductions & Key Stats
MUS Akademik Ravens (MUS)
- Matches Played: 59
- Matches Won: 39
- Win Percentage: 66.1%
- Strongest Player (Career Avg. Fantasy Points): Manan Bashir (57 per match)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Avg. Fantasy Points): Zeerak Chughtai (83 per match)
- Top Six-Hitter: Manan Bashir (137 career sixes)
- Top Wicket-Taker: Zeerak Chughtai (most five-wicket hauls, 1 in career)
Sofia Stars (SFS)
- Matches Played: 21
- Matches Won: 15
- Win Percentage: 71.4%
- Strongest Player (Career Avg. Fantasy Points): Bakhtiar Tahiri (84 per match)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Avg. Fantasy Points): Murad Khan (194 per match, 1 match)
- Top Six-Hitter: Bakhtiar Tahiri (57 career sixes)
- Top Wicket-Taker: Prakash Mishra (most four-wicket hauls, 1 in career)
Player Highlights
MUS Akademik Ravens
Manan Bashir – Batsman (MUS)
A true T10 powerhouse, Bashir has played 54 matches, amassing 3096 career fantasy points at an average of 57 per match. His 137 sixes and 9 fifties (plus a century) underline his ability to dominate any bowling attack. With a top score of 114 and a highest single-match fantasy haul of 249, Bashir is a proven match-winner. His 6 Player of the Match awards (11.1% of matches) further highlight his impact.
Zeerak Chughtai – Batsman (MUS)
Chughtai is in red-hot form this event, averaging 83 fantasy points per match (250 total). Over 42 career matches, he’s notched up 2395 fantasy points and 26 sixes. His all-round value is evident with 5 Player of the Match awards (11.9% of matches) and a career-best 90 runs in a single innings.
Isa Zaroo – All Rounder (MUS)
A consistent all-rounder, Zaroo has 988 career fantasy points from 22 matches (45 per match). He’s contributed 16 sixes and 1 fifty, with a top score of 65. In the current event, he’s averaging 51 fantasy points per match, with notable fielding contributions (3 catches).
Raihan Hussain – All Rounder (MUS)
Despite only 4 matches, Hussain has made a big impact: 278 fantasy points (70 per match), including a Player of the Match award. He’s already taken a three-wicket haul and scored 38 as his top batting effort, making him a valuable asset in both departments.
Sofia Stars
Bakhtiar Tahiri – Batsman (SFS)
Tahiri is the fantasy juggernaut for SFS, with 2841 points in 34 matches (84 per match). His 57 sixes and 7 fifties make him a constant threat. With 6 Player of the Match awards (17.6% of matches), he’s a proven game-changer. His top score of 99 and highest fantasy match haul of 280 points are testament to his all-round prowess.
Murad Khan – Batsman (SFS)
A sensational debutant, Khan scored 55 runs and took 2 wickets in his only match, earning 194 fantasy points and a Player of the Match award. With 6 sixes and 4 fours in a single outing, he’s set a high bar for future performances.
Prakash Mishra – All Rounder (SFS, Captain)
A veteran with 84 matches, Mishra has 3739 career fantasy points (45 per match) and 9 Player of the Match awards. He’s hit 48 sixes and taken 1904 bowling fantasy points, with a best of 4 wickets in a match. In the current event, he’s averaging 139 fantasy points per match, underlining his enduring value.
Gagandeep Singh – Bowler (SFS)
With 2526 fantasy points in 71 matches (36 per match), Singh is a reliable performer. He’s taken 21 sixes and 1688 bowling fantasy points, with five three-wicket hauls. His experience and consistency make him a key figure in the SFS bowling attack.
Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head
Manan Bashir (MUS) vs Bakhtiar Tahiri (SFS):
- Bashir: 57 avg. fantasy points, 2 sixes/match, 22 runs/match
- Tahiri: 84 avg. fantasy points, 1 six/match, 24 runs/match
- Both are explosive, but Tahiri edges ahead in all-round fantasy value.
Zeerak Chughtai (MUS) vs Prakash Mishra (SFS):
- Chughtai: 57 avg. fantasy points, 11 runs/match, 0 wickets/match
- Mishra: 45 avg. fantasy points, 8 runs/match, 0 wickets/match
- Chughtai is in better current form, but Mishra’s experience and all-round skills are invaluable.
Raihan Hussain (MUS) vs Murad Khan (SFS):
- Hussain: 70 avg. fantasy points, 10 runs/match, 1 wicket/match
- Khan: 194 avg. fantasy points, 55 runs/match, 2 wickets/match (1 match)
- Khan’s debut was extraordinary, but Hussain’s consistency is notable.
Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations
Safe Choices:
- Bakhtiar Tahiri (SFS): Consistent high fantasy returns, all-rounder, and proven match-winner.
- Manan Bashir (MUS): Explosive batter, high sixes count, and regular fantasy contributor.
Bold Picks:
- Murad Khan (SFS): If he continues his debut form, he could be a fantasy goldmine.
- Zeerak Chughtai (MUS): In top form this event, offers both batting and bowling value.
Insights & Key Matchups
Potential Game-Changers:
- Bakhtiar Tahiri and Manan Bashir are the most likely to swing the match with their power-hitting and all-round skills.
- Murad Khan is the X-factor for SFS, while Zeerak Chughtai’s current form could be decisive for MUS.
- Prakash Mishra and Gagandeep Singh bring experience and balance to the SFS lineup, especially with the ball.
Fantasy Watch:
- Expect high fantasy scores from the top-order batters and all-rounders.
- Bowlers with wicket-taking ability in the powerplay, like Raihan Hussain and Shazad Liaqat, could provide differential value.
Conclusion
With both teams boasting strong win records and a blend of experience and emerging talent, Match 8 of ECS Bulgaria, 2025 is set to be a thrilling contest. Whether it’s the six-hitting prowess of Manan Bashir, the all-round brilliance of Bakhtiar Tahiri, or the explosive potential of Murad Khan, fans and fantasy managers alike have plenty to look forward to. Don’t miss a ball as MUS Akademik Ravens take on Sofia Stars in what promises to be a high-scoring, action-packed T10 encounter!
- Murad Khan – Batsman – Avg. Points: 194.0 – Sofia Stars
- Bakhtiar Tahiri – Batsman – Avg. Points: 84.0 – Sofia Stars
- Raihan Hussain – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 70.0 – MUS Akademik Ravens
- Zeerak Chughtai – Batsman – Avg. Points: 57.0 – MUS Akademik Ravens
- Manan Bashir – Batsman – Avg. Points: 57.0 – MUS Akademik Ravens
- Shivam Mishra – Batsman – Avg. Points: 56.0 – Sofia Stars
- Anis Raza – Bowler – Avg. Points: 37.0 – MUS Akademik Ravens
- Gagandeep Singh – Bowler – Avg. Points: 36.0 – Sofia Stars
- Oscar Duff – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 34.0 – Sofia Stars
- Danyal Ali – Bowler – Avg. Points: 29.0 – MUS Akademik Ravens
- Sahil Kumar – Bowler – Avg. Points: 29.0 – Sofia Stars
Number of players in the list from each team:
- Sofia Stars: 6
- MUS Akademik Ravens: 5
Number of players from each skill type:
- Batsman: 5
- Bowler: 4
- All Rounder: 2
- Wicket Keeper: 0
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