ECS Croatia, 2025: Zagreb Sokol (ZAS) vs Sir Oliver Split (SOS) – Match 9 Preview

Event: ECS Croatia, 2025
Match: Zagreb Sokol (ZAS) vs Sir Oliver Split (SOS), Single Group Match Day 2, Match 9
Date: 12 August 2025
Start Time: 14:45 Local Time | 17:15 IST
Venue: Mladost Cricket Ground, Zagreb
Format: T10
Toss: Zagreb Sokol won the toss and elected to field
Match Type: Group Match

Spotlight on the Stars: Who Will Shine Brightest?

As the ECS Croatia, 2025 heats up, Match 9 brings together two of the tournament’s most competitive sides: Zagreb Sokol (ZAS) and Sir Oliver Split (SOS). With both teams boasting a blend of experience and emerging talent, this T10 clash at the Mladost Cricket Ground promises fireworks.

Predicted Standouts

  • Most Sixes:
    Saghar Manzoor (ZAS), Luke Vukusic (SOS), and Jalal Miah (ZAS) all average 1 six per match, but with Saghar Manzoor’s 68 career sixes in 54 matches, he’s the leading candidate to clear the ropes most often.

  • Most Runs:
    Luke Vukusic (SOS) stands out with a career average of 22 runs per match, making him the top contender to anchor the innings.

  • Most Wickets:
    Jalal Miah (ZAS) and Angus McMahon (SOS) both average 1 wicket per match, but Jalal’s recent form and all-round fantasy impact give him the edge.

  • Match MVP:
    Rashid Hashmi (ZAS), with a career average of 37 fantasy points per match and a staggering 2109 total career points, is the frontrunner for the MVP title.

Team Overviews

Zagreb Sokol (ZAS)

  • Matches Played: 64
  • Matches Won: 37
  • Win Percentage: 57.8%
  • Strongest Player (Career Avg. Fantasy Points): Rashid Hashmi (37 per match)
  • Strongest Player (Current Event Avg. Fantasy Points): Rashid Hashmi (60 per match)
  • Top Six-Hitter: Saghar Manzoor (68 career sixes)
  • Top Wicket-Taker: Gurpreet Singh (most career wickets among ZAS bowlers)

Zagreb Sokol enter this match with a formidable record and a well-rounded squad. Their blend of power-hitters and versatile all-rounders makes them a threat in the T10 format.

Sir Oliver Split (SOS)

  • Matches Played: 35
  • Matches Won: 15
  • Win Percentage: 42.9%
  • Strongest Player (Career Avg. Fantasy Points): Luke Vukusic (66 per match)
  • Strongest Player (Current Event Avg. Fantasy Points): Maanav Nayak (68 per match)
  • Top Six-Hitter: Maanav Nayak (31 career sixes)
  • Top Wicket-Taker: Maanav Nayak (most career wickets among SOS bowlers)

Sir Oliver Split may have a lower win percentage, but their squad is packed with high-impact players capable of turning the game in a matter of overs.

Player Highlights

Zagreb Sokol (ZAS)

Rashid Hashmi – Wicket-Keeper

A true match-winner, Rashid Hashmi’s 2109 career fantasy points and 37-point average per match make them a fantasy favorite. With 53 career sixes and 68 fours, Hashmi is a consistent run-scorer, and their 26 catches and 10 stumpings highlight their prowess behind the stumps. Six Player of the Match awards underscore their ability to deliver under pressure.

Saghar Manzoor – Batsman

Manzoor is ZAS’s six-hitting machine, with 68 career sixes and a career average of 18 runs per match. Their 1951 batting fantasy points and 42-point average per match reflect their reliability. With six Player of the Match awards, Manzoor is a proven game-changer.

Gurpreet Singh – Batsman (Captain)

Singh brings leadership and all-round value, with 940 career fantasy points and a 43-point average per match. While their batting numbers are steady, it’s their bowling (581 fantasy points) and fielding (6 catches) that add depth to their profile. Two Player of the Match awards highlight their match-winning potential.

Jalal Miah – Bowler

A rising star, Miah averages 62 fantasy points per match in the current event. With 4 sixes and 2 fours in just 3 matches, and a top score of 18, Miah is a handy lower-order batter. Their bowling, with 114 fantasy points and a 38-point average per match, makes them a key wicket-taking threat.

Sir Oliver Split (SOS)

Luke Vukusic – Batsman (Wicket-Keeper)

Vukusic is the backbone of the SOS batting, averaging 22 runs and 44 batting fantasy points per match. With 12 sixes and 14 fours in just 7 matches, they are a boundary-hitting force. Their 66 average fantasy points per match is the highest in the team, making them a top fantasy pick.

Maanav Nayak – Bowler

Nayak is a dual threat, with 3222 career fantasy points and a 43-point average per match. Their 31 sixes and 57 fours, along with 1767 bowling fantasy points, make them a genuine all-rounder. With four Player of the Match awards, Nayak is a proven performer in high-pressure situations.

Angus McMahon – All-Rounder

In just 2 matches, McMahon has racked up 114 fantasy points, averaging 57 per match. Their 2 sixes and 2 fours, along with 2 wickets, show their all-round capabilities. McMahon’s explosive potential makes them a wildcard for this match.

Sam Houghton – Wicket-Keeper

With 2031 career fantasy points and 24 catches, Houghton is a reliable presence behind the stumps. Their 28 sixes and 50 fours, along with a top score of 55, make them a valuable middle-order batter. Two Player of the Match awards highlight their ability to step up when needed.

Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head

  • Best Batter vs Best Bowler:

    • Saghar Manzoor (ZAS) vs Maanav Nayak (SOS)
      • Manzoor: 68 sixes, 1951 batting fantasy points
      • Nayak: 1767 bowling fantasy points, 6 three-wicket hauls

  • Wicket-Keeper Showdown:

    • Rashid Hashmi (ZAS) vs Sam Houghton (SOS)
      • Hashmi: 2109 fantasy points, 26 catches, 10 stumpings
      • Houghton: 2031 fantasy points, 24 catches, 2 stumpings

  • All-Rounder Impact:

    • Aman Chaubey (ZAS) vs Angus McMahon (SOS)
      • Chaubey: 2002 fantasy points, 27 sixes, 1140 bowling points
      • McMahon: 114 fantasy points in 2 matches, 2 wickets, 2 sixes

Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations

Safe Picks

  • Rashid Hashmi (ZAS): Consistent fantasy returns, high involvement in all facets.
  • Saghar Manzoor (ZAS): Explosive batter, proven match-winner.

Bold Picks

  • Luke Vukusic (SOS): High ceiling with the bat, can dominate the powerplay.
  • Maanav Nayak (SOS): All-rounder with a history of big performances.

Insights & Key Matchups

  • Potential Game-Changers:

    • Saghar Manzoor and Rashid Hashmi for ZAS can take the game away in a few overs.
    • Maanav Nayak and Luke Vukusic for SOS have the ability to swing momentum with both bat and ball.

  • Fantasy X-Factors:

    • Jalal Miah (ZAS) and Angus McMahon (SOS) are emerging as high-impact players in the current event, with strong all-round numbers.

  • Fielding Impact:

    • Both teams have wicket-keepers with high catch and stumping numbers, which could prove decisive in a T10 format where every run and wicket counts.

Conclusion

With both teams boasting match-winners and explosive talent, Match 9 of ECS Croatia, 2025 is set to be a high-octane contest. Zagreb Sokol’s experience and power-hitting will be tested by Sir Oliver Split’s dynamic all-rounders and aggressive batters. Expect a thrilling encounter at Mladost Cricket Ground, where individual brilliance could tip the scales in this crucial group match.

Stay tuned for live action and fantasy updates as ZAS and SOS battle for supremacy!

  1. Luke Vukusic – Batsman – Avg. Points: 66.0 – SOS
  2. Sakib Hossen – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 62.0 – ZAS
  3. Jalal Miah – Bowler – Avg. Points: 62.0 – ZAS
  4. Oliver Tilley – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 57.0 – SOS
  5. Angus McMahon – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 57.0 – SOS
  6. Gurpreet Singh – Batsman – Avg. Points: 43.0 – ZAS
  7. Maanav Nayak – Bowler – Avg. Points: 43.0 – SOS
  8. Saghar Manzoor – Batsman – Avg. Points: 42.0 – ZAS
  9. Aman Chaubey – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 39.0 – ZAS
  10. Rashid Hashmi – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 37.0 – ZAS
  11. Ahamed Toukir – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 37.0 – ZAS

Number of players from each team:

  • Zagreb Sokol (ZAS): 7
  • Sir Oliver Split (SOS): 4

Number of players from each skill type:

  • All-Rounder: 4
  • Batsman: 3
  • Bowler: 2
  • Wicket-Keeper: 2

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