ECS Croatia, 2025: Zagreb Warriors (ZW) vs Zagreb Assassins (ZA) – Match 3 Preview

Event: ECS Croatia, 2025
Match: Zagreb Warriors (ZW) vs Zagreb Assassins (ZA), Single Group Match Day 1, Match 3
Date: 11 August 2025
Start Time: 12:45 Local Time | 15:15 IST
Venue: Mladost Cricket Ground, Zagreb
Format: T10
Match Type: Group Match
Toss: Zagreb Warriors won the toss and elected to field

Spotlight on the Stars: Who Will Shine Brightest?

As ECS Croatia, 2025 gets underway, all eyes turn to Match 3, where the Zagreb Warriors (ZW) face off against the formidable Zagreb Assassins (ZA). With both teams eager to make their mark early in the tournament, this T10 clash at the Mladost Cricket Ground promises fireworks, drama, and plenty of fantasy points.

Predicted Standouts

  • Most Sixes:
    Nowshad Babu (ZA) – With a staggering 4.0 sixes per match over 34 career games (141 sixes in total), Babu is the undisputed six-hitting machine in this contest.

  • Most Runs:
    Nowshad Babu (ZA) – Averaging 42 runs per match, Babu is also the most consistent run-scorer on either side.

  • Most Wickets:
    Pritesh Pawar (ZA), Harpreet Jhalli (ZW), Tohidul Alam (ZW), Mubashir Ali (ZW) – All average 1.0 wicket per match, making them the leading wicket-taking threats.

  • Match MVP:
    Nowshad Babu (ZA) – With an average of 99 fantasy points per match across their career, Babu is the top fantasy performer and a likely MVP candidate.

Team Introductions & Key Stats

Zagreb Warriors (ZW)

  • Team Colours: Yellow (Primary), Dark Blue (Secondary)
  • Matches Played: 26
  • Matches Won: 1
  • Win Percentage: 3.8%
  • Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Harpreet Jhalli (51.0 points/match)
  • Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): Tohidul Alam (63.0 points/match)
  • Top Six-Hitter: Tohidul Alam, Faisar Mehmood (1.0 sixes/match)
  • Top Wicket-Taker: Harpreet Jhalli, Tohidul Alam, Mubashir Ali (1.0 wickets/match)

Zagreb Assassins (ZA)

  • Team Colours: Light Blue (Primary), Red (Secondary)
  • Matches Played: 43
  • Matches Won: 24
  • Win Percentage: 55.8%
  • Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Nowshad Babu (99.0 points/match)
  • Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): No event data yet
  • Top Six-Hitter: Nowshad Babu (4.0 sixes/match)
  • Top Wicket-Taker: Pritesh Pawar (1.0 wickets/match)

Player Highlights

Zagreb Warriors (ZW)

Harpreet Jhalli – Batsman

Jhalli stands out as ZW’s most consistent fantasy performer, averaging 51 points per match over 8 games. With a Player of the Match award to their name and a high score of 13, Jhalli’s all-round contributions (336 bowling points, 41 batting points) make them a valuable asset. Their ability to chip in with both bat and ball, including a three-wicket haul, adds depth to the Warriors’ lineup.

Tohidul Alam – Bowler

A recent addition with just 2 matches, Alam has already made a splash, averaging 63 fantasy points per match in the current event. With 3 sixes and 2 wickets, Alam’s explosive potential with both bat and ball could be a game-changer. Their 125-point match performance is a testament to their impact.

Sagar Malik – All-Rounder

Malik brings balance to the side, with 45 fantasy points per match over 7 games. While their batting numbers are modest (top score 14), Malik’s bowling (209 points, 30 avg) and fielding (4 catches) make them a reliable all-round contributor.

Aman Kumar – Wicket-Keeper

Kumar, with 5 matches under their belt, averages 15 fantasy points per match. Their primary value lies in wicket-keeping and lower-order batting, with a top score of 10 and 2 sixes. Kumar’s fielding (2 catches) could prove crucial in tight moments.

Zagreb Assassins (ZA)

Nowshad Babu – Wicket-Keeper

Babu is the undisputed star of the match, boasting 3358 career fantasy points, 3 centuries, 11 fifties, and a top score of 133. With 7 Player of the Match awards and a 99-point fantasy average, Babu’s six-hitting (141) and run-scoring (42 avg) prowess make them the player to watch.

Pritesh Pawar – All-Rounder

Pawar is a true all-rounder, averaging 81 fantasy points per match over 17 games. With 3 Player of the Match awards, 18 sixes, and 27 fours, Pawar’s ability to contribute with both bat (552 points) and ball (700 points, 1.0 wickets/match) makes them a key figure for ZA.

Hariprasad Sathedeevi – Batsman (Captain)

Sathedeevi, the captain, brings experience with 47 matches and 2033 fantasy points. While their batting average is 10 runs per match, their all-round skills (886 bowling points, 15 catches) and leadership are vital for the Assassins.

Ashraf Ansari – All-Rounder

Ansari, with 11 matches and 326 fantasy points, is a steady all-rounder. Their bowling (225 points, 20 avg) is their main strength, and a Player of the Match award highlights their match-winning potential.

Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head

  • Best Batter vs Best Bowler:

    • Nowshad Babu (ZA) vs Harpreet Jhalli (ZW)
      • Babu: 42 runs/match, 4 sixes/match, 99 fantasy points/match
      • Jhalli: 1 wicket/match, 42 bowling points/match, 51 fantasy points/match

  • All-Rounder Battle:

    • Pritesh Pawar (ZA) vs Tohidul Alam (ZW)
      • Pawar: 1 wicket/match, 16 runs/match, 81 fantasy points/match
      • Alam: 1 wicket/match, 13 runs/match, 63 fantasy points/match

  • Sixes Showdown:

    • Nowshad Babu (ZA) (4 sixes/match) vs Tohidul Alam (ZW) (1 six/match)

Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations

Safe Picks

  • Nowshad Babu (ZA): The most reliable fantasy performer, with a high ceiling and consistent output.
  • Pritesh Pawar (ZA): All-round contributions and a strong Player of the Match record.

Bold Picks

  • Tohidul Alam (ZW): High current event average and explosive potential.
  • Harpreet Jhalli (ZW): All-rounder with wicket-taking ability and a Player of the Match award.

Insights & Key Matchups

  • Zagreb Assassins enter as clear favourites, with a strong win percentage and several high-impact players. Nowshad Babu’s six-hitting and run-scoring ability could set the tone, while Pritesh Pawar’s all-round skills provide balance.
  • Zagreb Warriors will look to their all-rounders, especially Harpreet Jhalli and Tohidul Alam, to disrupt the Assassins’ rhythm. Alam’s recent form and ability to contribute in all departments make them a potential X-factor.
  • Fantasy managers should focus on the proven performers from ZA, but bold picks from ZW could pay off if the Warriors spring a surprise.

Expect fireworks, big hits, and plenty of drama as ZW and ZA battle for early supremacy in ECS Croatia, 2025!

  1. Nowshad Babu – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 99.0 – ZA
  2. Pritesh Pawar – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 81.0 – ZA
  3. Tohidul Alam – Bowler – Avg. Points: 63.0 – ZW
  4. Harpreet Jhalli – Batsman – Avg. Points: 51.0 – ZW
  5. Alfred Beresford-Peirse – Bowler – Avg. Points: 46.0 – ZA
  6. Sagar Malik – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 45.0 – ZW
  7. Hariprasad Sathedeevi – Batsman – Avg. Points: 43.0 – ZA
  8. Anupam Singh – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 38.0 – ZA
  9. Mubashir Ali – Bowler – Avg. Points: 32.0 – ZW
  10. Ashraf Ansari – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 30.0 – ZA
  11. Faisar Mehmood – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 30.0 – ZW

Number of players from each team:

  • Zagreb Assassins (ZA): 6
  • Zagreb Warriors (ZW): 5

Number of players from each skill type:

  • All-Rounder: 5
  • Bowler: 3
  • Batsman: 2
  • Wicket-Keeper: 1

Connect with the ECN on our Official Telegram Channel for previews and Win Probability