ECS Croatia, 2025: Zagreb Assassins (ZA) vs Zagreb Sokol (ZAS) – Match 17 Preview
Event: ECS Croatia, 2025
Match: Zagreb Assassins vs Zagreb Sokol, Single Group Match Day 4, Match 17
Date: 14 August 2025
Start Time: 10:45 Local Time | 13:15 IST
Venue: Mladost Cricket Ground, Zagreb
Format: T10
Toss: Zagreb Sokol won the toss and elected to bat
Match Type: Group Match
Spotlight on the Stars: Who Will Shine Brightest?
As the ECS Croatia, 2025 enters a crucial phase, Match 17 brings together two of Zagreb’s most competitive sides: the Zagreb Assassins (ZA) and Zagreb Sokol (ZAS). With both teams boasting a blend of experience and explosive talent, this T10 encounter at the Mladost Cricket Ground promises high-octane action and pivotal moments.
Predicted Standouts
- Most Sixes:Nowshad Babu (ZA) – With a career average of 3.0 sixes per match and 151 career sixes, Babu is the clear favorite to clear the ropes most often.
- Most Runs:Nowshad Babu (ZA) – Averaging 39 runs per match across 39 games, Babu is also the leading candidate to top-score.
- Most Wickets:Pritesh Pawar (ZA) – With a career average of 1.0 wicket per match and 3 four-wicket hauls, Pawar is the bowler to watch.
- Match MVP:Nowshad Babu (ZA) – An outstanding average of 94 fantasy points per match over his career, Babu is the all-round fantasy leader.
Team Introductions & Key Stats
Zagreb Assassins (ZA)
- Team Short Name: ZA
- Matches Played: 47
- Matches Won: 26
- Win Percentage: 55.3%
- Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Nowshad Babu (94.0)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): Hariprasad Sathedeevi (64.0)
- Top Six-Hitter: Nowshad Babu (151 career sixes)
- Top Wicket-Taker: Pritesh Pawar (career average 1.0 wickets per match)
Zagreb Sokol (ZAS)
- Team Short Name: ZAS
- Matches Played: 65
- Matches Won: 38
- Win Percentage: 58.5%
- Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Izaz Ali (62.0)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): Rashid Hashmi (55.0)
- Top Six-Hitter: Saghar Manzoor (72 career sixes)
- Top Wicket-Taker: Gurpreet Singh (career average 0.0 wickets per match, but 640 bowling fantasy points)
Player Highlights
Zagreb Assassins (ZA)
Nowshad Babu – Wicket-Keeper
A true match-winner, Babu’s numbers are staggering: 3666 career fantasy points, 151 sixes, 12 fifties, and 3 centuries in 39 matches. His 8 Player of the Match awards (20.5% of matches) underline his game-changing ability. In the current event, he’s already amassed 308 points, with a high of 51 per match. Babu’s consistency with the bat (career average 39 runs/match) and his explosive power make him the most feared batter in this contest.
Pritesh Pawar – All-Rounder
Pawar’s all-round prowess is reflected in his 1710 career fantasy points and a strong average of 78 per match. With 19 sixes and 29 fours, he’s a handy lower-order hitter, but it’s his bowling (972 fantasy points, 44 per match) that sets him apart. Three Player of the Match awards and a career-best 212 points in a single game highlight his match-winning potential.
Hariprasad Sathedeevi – Batsman, Captain
The captain leads by example, with 2419 career fantasy points and a current event average of 64.0. Sathedeevi has 49 sixes and 32 fours, and his all-round contributions (1050 batting, 1041 bowling fantasy points) make him a vital cog. His leadership and ability to deliver in crunch moments are invaluable.
Ashik Prasad – Bowler
With 308 career fantasy points and a best of 103 in a match, Prasad is a reliable bowling option. His 18 average bowling fantasy points per match and a three-wicket haul in his career show his wicket-taking ability. He’s also contributed with the bat and in the field, making him a useful all-round package.
Zagreb Sokol (ZAS)
Izaz Ali – All-Rounder
Ali is ZAS’s fantasy powerhouse, with 3235 career points and a 62-point average per match. He’s hit 66 sixes and 68 fours, and his 1205 bowling fantasy points (23 per match) make him a dual threat. Seven Player of the Match awards (13.5% of matches) highlight his ability to turn games single-handedly.
Saghar Manzoor – Batsman
Manzoor is the team’s six-hitting machine, with 72 career sixes and 99 fours. He’s scored 2095 batting fantasy points and averages 19 runs per match. With 7 Player of the Match awards and a high of 155 fantasy points in a match, Manzoor is a proven match-winner.
Rashid Hashmi – Wicket-Keeper
Hashmi’s 2137 career fantasy points and 54 sixes make him a key player. He’s also a standout in the field, with 27 catches and 10 stumpings, and a career-high 148 fantasy points in a match. His current event average of 55 points per match is among the best for ZAS.
Sakib Hossen – All-Rounder
With 1408 career fantasy points and a 61-point average per match, Hossen is a consistent performer. He’s hit 29 sixes and 42 fours, and his 401 bowling fantasy points add to his all-round value. Hossen’s ability to contribute in all departments makes him a player to watch.
Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head
Nowshad Babu (ZA) vs Saghar Manzoor (ZAS):
- Babu leads in sixes (151 vs 72), runs per match (39 vs 19), and fantasy points (94 vs 44 per match).
- Manzoor, however, is a proven big-match player with 7 Player of the Match awards.
Pritesh Pawar (ZA) vs Izaz Ali (ZAS):
- Pawar’s bowling (44 fantasy points/match) edges Ali’s (23), but Ali’s all-round numbers and six Player of the Match awards make this a fascinating contest.
Hariprasad Sathedeevi (ZA) vs Rashid Hashmi (ZAS):
- Both are high-impact players, with Sathedeevi’s all-round skills and Hashmi’s wicket-keeping and batting making them fantasy favorites.
Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations
Safe Picks
- Nowshad Babu (ZA): Consistent high fantasy returns, top six-hitter, and run-scorer.
- Izaz Ali (ZAS): All-rounder with a history of big performances and high fantasy averages.
Bold Picks
- Pritesh Pawar (ZA): Can deliver with both bat and ball, and has a high ceiling for fantasy points.
- Saghar Manzoor (ZAS): Explosive batter capable of changing the game in a few overs.
Insights & Key Matchups
Game-Changers:
- Nowshad Babu is the most likely to dominate with the bat and in fantasy scoring.
- Izaz Ali and Saghar Manzoor are ZAS’s best hopes for a match-winning performance.
- Pritesh Pawar’s all-round skills could tilt the balance for ZA, especially if he gets early wickets.
Fantasy X-Factors:
- Rashid Hashmi’s wicket-keeping and fielding can add valuable points.
- Hariprasad Sathedeevi’s leadership and all-round ability make him a reliable fantasy pick.
Match Narrative:
- Expect fireworks from the top-order batters, with Babu and Manzoor likely to set the tone.
- The battle between the all-rounders—Pawar and Ali—could decide the outcome.
- Fielding and catching will be crucial in the T10 format, with Hashmi and Sathedeevi both capable of making a difference.
Conclusion
With both teams boasting match-winners and a history of success, Match 17 of ECS Croatia, 2025 is set to be a thrilling contest. Whether it’s the six-hitting prowess of Nowshad Babu, the all-round excellence of Izaz Ali, or the explosive potential of Saghar Manzoor, fans can expect a feast of cricketing action at the Mladost Cricket Ground. Don’t miss a moment as Zagreb’s finest battle for supremacy in this high-stakes T10 encounter!
- Nowshad Babu – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 94.0 – ZAS
- Pritesh Pawar – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 78.0 – ZAS
- Izaz Ali – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 62.0 – ZGS
- Sakib Hossen – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 61.0 – ZGS
- Jalal Miah – Bowler – Avg. Points: 51.0 – ZGS
- Hariprasad Sathedeevi – Batsman – Avg. Points: 47.0 – ZAS
- Saghar Manzoor – Batsman – Avg. Points: 44.0 – ZGS
- Gurpreet Singh – Batsman – Avg. Points: 44.0 – ZGS
- Alfred Beresford-Peirse – Bowler – Avg. Points: 40.0 – ZAS
- Ahamed Toukir – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 40.0 – ZGS
- Aman Chaubey – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 38.0 – ZGS
Number of players from each team:
- Zagreb Sokol (ZGS): 7
- Zagreb Assassins (ZAS): 4
Number of players from each skill type:
- All-Rounder: 5
- Batsman: 3
- Bowler: 2
- Wicket-Keeper: 1
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