ECS Croatia, 2025 – Qualifier 1: Rijeka Markhors (RJM) vs Zagreb Assassins (ZA)
ECS Croatia, 2025 Finals Match Day 1, Match 22
Date: 15 August 2025
Start Time: 10:45 Local Time | 13:15 IST
Venue: Mladost Cricket Ground, Zagreb
Format: T10
Match Type: Qualifier 1
Toss: Rijeka Markhors won the toss and elected to bat
A High-Stakes Showdown in Zagreb
The ECS Croatia, 2025 reaches a fever pitch as the undefeated Rijeka Markhors (RJM) lock horns with the seasoned Zagreb Assassins (ZA) in Qualifier 1. With a place in the grand finale at stake, both teams will be eager to stamp their authority at the Mladost Cricket Ground in this high-octane T10 encounter.
Predicted Standouts: Who Will Shine?
Most Sixes:
Nowshad Babu (ZA) – With a staggering career average of 4 sixes per match (167 sixes in 41 matches), Babu is the undisputed six-hitting machine in this contest.Most Runs:
Nowshad Babu (ZA) – Averaging 41 runs per match over his career, Babu is also the most consistent run-getter on either side.Most Wickets:
Jatinder Vashisht (RJM), Pritesh Pawar (ZA), Akash Lamsal (ZA), Jaspreet Singh (RJM) – All boast a career average of 1 wicket per match, making them the leading wicket-taking threats.Match MVP:
Nowshad Babu (ZA) – With an extraordinary average of 99 fantasy points per match over his career, Babu is the top all-round fantasy performer.
Team Introductions & Key Stats
Rijeka Markhors (RJM)
- Team Colours: Black & Yellow
- Matches Played: 7
- Matches Won: 7
- Win Percentage: 100%
- Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Jatinder Vashisht (88 per match)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): Sahil Lal (122 per match)
- Top Six-Hitter: Anil Kumar (56 career sixes, 2 per match)
- Top Wicket-Taker: Jatinder Vashisht & Jaspreet Singh (1 wicket per match)
Zagreb Assassins (ZA)
- Team Colours: Light Blue & Red
- Matches Played: 50
- Matches Won: 29
- Win Percentage: 58%
- Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Nowshad Babu (99 per match)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): Akash Lamsal (111 per match)
- Top Six-Hitter: Nowshad Babu (167 career sixes, 4 per match)
- Top Wicket-Taker: Pritesh Pawar & Akash Lamsal (1 wicket per match)
Player Highlights
Rijeka Markhors (RJM)
Jatinder Vashisht – All-Rounder
A true all-round force, Vashisht boasts 1,667 career fantasy points from just 19 matches (88 per match) and a remarkable 801 points in this event (100 per match). With 33 sixes, 15 fours, and a top score of 56, their batting is explosive. On the bowling front, 896 career fantasy points and an average of 47 per match underline their wicket-taking prowess. Vashisht has 3 Player of the Match awards, reflecting a match-winning temperament.
Sahil Lal – Batsman
Lal is in red-hot form, averaging 122 fantasy points per match in this event (973 points in 8 matches). With 39 career sixes and 47 fours, they are a boundary-hitting specialist. Their career-best 301 fantasy points in a single match and 4 Player of the Match awards make them a genuine game-changer.
Anil Kumar – Batsman
Kumar is RJM’s six-hitting leader (56 career sixes, 2 per match) and a consistent run-scorer (22 runs per match). With 1,699 career fantasy points and a current event average of 66 per match, Kumar’s ability to clear the ropes and anchor the innings is vital. Two Player of the Match awards further highlight their impact.
Jaspreet Singh – All-Rounder
Singh’s bowling is their main weapon, with 415 career bowling fantasy points and an average of 52 per match in this event. With a career-best 87 fantasy points in a match and a wicket per game, Singh is a reliable option for breakthroughs.
Zagreb Assassins (ZA)
Nowshad Babu – Wicket-Keeper
Babu is the tournament’s most prolific fantasy performer, with 4,039 career points (99 per match) and 681 in this event (85 per match). Their batting is exceptional: 3 hundreds, 14 fifties, 167 sixes, and 114 fours, with a top score of 133. Babu’s 10 Player of the Match awards (24% of matches) underline their match-winning consistency.
Pritesh Pawar – All-Rounder
Pawar is a dual threat, with 1,792 career fantasy points (75 per match) and 416 in this event (52 per match). With 19 sixes, 29 fours, and a top score of 49, Pawar is a handy batter. Their bowling is even more impressive: 1,028 career bowling fantasy points, 4 wickets in a match as a best, and 3 Player of the Match awards.
Akash Lamsal – Bowler
Lamsal is the event’s breakout star, averaging 111 fantasy points per match (222 in 2 matches). Their bowling is lethal, with 367 career bowling fantasy points and a best of 4 wickets in a match. Two Player of the Match awards in just 10 matches highlight their impact.
Hariprasad Sathedeevi – Batsman (Captain)
Sathedeevi brings experience and leadership, with 2,529 career fantasy points (47 per match) and 496 in this event (62 per match). With 49 sixes, 32 fours, and a top score of 57, they are a reliable top-order batter. Their all-round skills are complemented by 1,133 career bowling fantasy points.
Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head
Nowshad Babu (ZA) vs Jatinder Vashisht (RJM):
Babu’s explosive batting (41 runs, 4 sixes per match) will be tested by Vashisht’s all-round skills (1 wicket per match, 47 bowling fantasy points per match). This duel could decide the match’s momentum.Sahil Lal (RJM) vs Akash Lamsal (ZA):
Lal’s current event form (122 fantasy points per match) faces Lamsal’s wicket-taking ability (1 wicket per match, 107 bowling fantasy points per match in this event).Anil Kumar (RJM) vs Pritesh Pawar (ZA):
Kumar’s six-hitting (2 per match) will be challenged by Pawar’s all-round consistency (43 bowling fantasy points per match, 25 batting fantasy points per match).
Captain & Vice-Captain Fantasy Picks
Safe Choices:
- Nowshad Babu (ZA): The most reliable all-rounder, with a high ceiling and consistent returns.
- Jatinder Vashisht (RJM): Delivers with both bat and ball, and is in strong form this event.
Bold Choices:
- Sahil Lal (RJM): In sensational touch this event, capable of a match-winning performance.
- Akash Lamsal (ZA): High-impact bowler, especially in the current event.
Insights & Key Matchups
Potential Game-Changers:
- Nowshad Babu (ZA): If Babu gets going, ZA will be hard to stop.
- Jatinder Vashisht (RJM): Their all-round ability can turn the match in RJM’s favour.
- Sahil Lal (RJM): A quickfire knock from Lal could set or chase a daunting total.
- Pritesh Pawar (ZA): With both bat and ball, Pawar’s contributions could be decisive.
Fantasy X-Factors:
- Akash Lamsal (ZA): A wicket-taking spell could break RJM’s batting backbone.
- Anil Kumar (RJM): Early sixes can put pressure on ZA’s bowlers.
Conclusion
With Rijeka Markhors boasting a perfect record and Zagreb Assassins fielding some of the most explosive talents in the tournament, Qualifier 1 promises to be a thrilling contest. Expect fireworks from the likes of Nowshad Babu and Jatinder Vashisht, and keep an eye on the all-rounders who could tip the balance. As the teams take the field at Mladost Cricket Ground, only one will move a step closer to ECS Croatia glory—don’t miss a ball of this high-stakes encounter!
- Nowshad Babu – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 99.0 – ZAS
- Jatinder Vashisht – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 88.0 – RM
- Pritesh Pawar – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 75.0 – ZAS
- Anil Kumar – Batsman – Avg. Points: 68.0 – RM
- Jaspreet Singh – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 57.0 – RM
- Sahil Lal – Batsman – Avg. Points: 56.0 – RM
- Hariprasad Sathedeevi – Batsman – Avg. Points: 47.0 – ZAS
- Vaidyanathan Ramesh – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 46.0 – ZAS
- Akash Lamsal – Bowler – Avg. Points: 41.0 – ZAS
- Alfred Beresford-Peirse – Bowler – Avg. Points: 41.0 – ZAS
- Anupam Singh – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 35.0 – ZAS
Number of players from each team:
- Zagreb Assassins (ZAS): 7
- Rijeka Markhors (RM): 4
Number of players from each skill type:
- All-Rounder: 5
- Batsman: 3
- Bowler: 2
- Wicket-Keeper: 1
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