ECS Croatia, 2025: Zagreb Warriors vs Zagreb Assassins – Match 5 Preview
Event: ECS Croatia, 2025
Match: Zagreb Warriors (ZW) vs Zagreb Assassins (ZA), Single Group Match Day 1, Match 5
Date: 11 August 2025
Start Time: 16:45 Local Time | 19:15 IST
Venue: Mladost Cricket Ground, Zagreb
Format: T10
Toss: Zagreb Warriors won the toss and elected to field
Match Type: Group Match
Spotlight on the Stars: Who Will Shine Brightest?
As the ECS Croatia, 2025 continues to deliver high-octane T10 action, Match 5 brings together two of Zagreb’s most competitive sides: the Warriors and the Assassins. With the Warriors opting to field first, the stage is set for a contest where every ball will count.
Predicted Standouts
- Most Sixes:Nowshad Babu (ZA) – With a career average of 4 sixes per match, Babu is the clear favorite to clear the ropes most often.
- Most Runs:Nowshad Babu (ZA) – Averaging 42 runs per match, Babu is also the leading candidate to top the run charts.
- Most Wickets:Harpreet Jhalli (ZW), Tohidul Alam (ZW), Mubashir Ali (ZW) – All three have a career average of 1 wicket per match, making them the bowlers to watch.
- Match MVP:Nowshad Babu (ZA) – With a stellar average of 100 fantasy points per match over his career, Babu is the top all-round fantasy performer.
Team Introductions & Key Stats
Zagreb Assassins (ZA)
- Matches Played: 44
- Matches Won: 25
- Win Percentage: 56.8%
- Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Nowshad Babu (100.0)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): Hariprasad Sathedeevi (139.0)
- Top Six-Hitter: Nowshad Babu (142 career sixes)
- Top Wicket-Taker: Hariprasad Sathedeevi (career bowling fantasy points: 886)
The Assassins have established themselves as a formidable force, boasting a strong win record and a roster filled with match-winners. Their batting firepower, led by Nowshad Babu, is complemented by versatile all-rounders and reliable bowlers.
Zagreb Warriors (ZW)
- Matches Played: 27
- Matches Won: 1
- Win Percentage: 3.7%
- Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Harpreet Jhalli (64.0)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): Tohidul Alam (80.0)
- Top Six-Hitter: Chanchal Kumar, Faisar Mehmood, Tohidul Alam (all with 1 six per match)
- Top Wicket-Taker: Harpreet Jhalli, Tohidul Alam, Mubashir Ali (all with 1 wicket per match)
The Warriors, despite a modest win record, have several individuals capable of turning the game on its head. Their bowling unit, in particular, has shown flashes of brilliance, and the team will be eager to convert individual performances into a collective triumph.
Player Highlights
Zagreb Assassins (ZA)
Nowshad Babu – Wicket-Keeper
A true T10 superstar, Babu’s numbers are exceptional: 34 matches, 3405 career fantasy points, and an average of 100 points per match. With 142 sixes and 11 fifties, he is both a power-hitter and a consistent run-getter. His 7 Player of the Match awards (20.6% of matches) underline his match-winning pedigree. In the current event, he’s already contributed with both bat and gloves, and his ability to impact all three facets makes him the player to watch.
Pritesh Pawar – All-Rounder
Pawar’s all-round skills have been vital for the Assassins. In 17 matches, he’s amassed 1509 fantasy points (89 per match), with a career-best 212 in a single game. While his batting has been quiet in the current event, his bowling (131 points in the event) has been outstanding, including a three-wicket haul. With 3 Player of the Match awards, Pawar is a proven game-changer.
Hariprasad Sathedeevi – Batsman (Captain)
Sathedeevi brings experience and leadership, with 47 matches and 2172 career fantasy points. His current event form is red-hot, averaging 139 points per match, including a recent fifty. While his career batting average is 11 runs per match, his all-round contributions (886 bowling points, 136 fielding points) make him a valuable asset.
Alfred Beresford-Peirse – Bowler
With 12 matches and 602 fantasy points (50 per match), Alfred is a reliable performer. He’s contributed with both bat (18 fours, 10 sixes) and ball (169 bowling points), and his ability to chip in across departments adds depth to the Assassins’ lineup.
Zagreb Warriors (ZW)
Harpreet Jhalli – Batsman
Jhalli stands out as the Warriors’ most consistent fantasy performer, averaging 64 points per match over 8 games. He’s a genuine all-round threat, with 395 bowling points and a three-wicket haul to his name. His ability to deliver with both bat and ball, plus a Player of the Match award, makes him a key figure.
Tohidul Alam – Bowler
In just 2 matches, Alam has made a big impact: 159 fantasy points (80 per match), 3 sixes, and 2 wickets. His all-round showing in the current event (60 batting, 91 bowling points) suggests he could be a breakout star for the Warriors.
Chanchal Kumar – Batsman
Kumar’s 6 matches have yielded 325 fantasy points (54 per match), with a top score of 36 and a Player of the Match award. He’s also contributed with the ball (157 bowling points) and in the field, making him a well-rounded pick.
Aman Kumar – Wicket-Keeper (Captain)
Aman brings leadership and consistency, with 5 matches and 107 fantasy points (21 per match). His fielding has been a highlight (44 points, 5 catches), and he’s shown the ability to contribute with the bat and behind the stumps.
Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head
Nowshad Babu (ZA) vs Harpreet Jhalli (ZW):
Babu’s explosive batting (42 runs, 4 sixes per match) will be tested by Jhalli’s all-round skills (1 wicket per match, 49 bowling points per match). This duel could set the tone for the match.Pritesh Pawar (ZA) vs Tohidul Alam (ZW):
Both are all-rounders with high fantasy ceilings. Pawar’s bowling (49 points per match) will be up against Alam’s recent form (80 points per match, 3 sixes in 2 games).Hariprasad Sathedeevi (ZA) vs Chanchal Kumar (ZW):
Sathedeevi’s current event form (139 points per match) makes him a threat, while Kumar’s ability to contribute in all departments (batting, bowling, fielding) could be crucial for the Warriors.
Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations
Safe Choices:
- Nowshad Babu (ZA): Consistent high fantasy returns, multi-dimensional impact.
- Harpreet Jhalli (ZW): All-rounder with a proven record and high ceiling.
Bold Picks:
- Pritesh Pawar (ZA): If he fires with both bat and ball, he can outscore anyone.
- Tohidul Alam (ZW): Early signs suggest he could be a match-winner with both bat and ball.
Insights & Key Matchups
Game-Changers:
- Nowshad Babu is the most likely to dominate with the bat and behind the stumps.
- Harpreet Jhalli and Tohidul Alam are the Warriors’ best hopes for breakthroughs with the ball.
- Pritesh Pawar’s all-round ability could swing the match in the Assassins’ favor if he finds form with the bat.
Fantasy Focus:
- Stack your fantasy teams with multi-skilled players from both sides, especially those with a track record of high fantasy points per match.
- Watch for late surges from players like Sathedeevi and Kumar, who have shown the ability to deliver in big moments.
Final Word
With the Warriors eager to improve their record and the Assassins looking to maintain their winning momentum, Match 5 at Mladost Cricket Ground promises to be a thrilling contest. Expect fireworks from the likes of Nowshad Babu and a fierce battle between the all-rounders. As always in T10, the margins are fine and every over could be decisive—don’t miss a ball of this Zagreb derby!
- Nowshad Babu – Wicket-Keeper – Avg. Points: 100.0 – ZAS
- Pritesh Pawar – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 89.0 – ZAS
- Tohidul Alam – Bowler – Avg. Points: 80.0 – ZW
- Harpreet Jhalli – Batsman – Avg. Points: 64.0 – ZW
- Mubashir Ali – Bowler – Avg. Points: 55.0 – ZW
- Chanchal Kumar – Batsman – Avg. Points: 54.0 – ZW
- Alfred Beresford-Peirse – Bowler – Avg. Points: 50.0 – ZAS
- Sagar Malik – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 45.0 – ZW
- Jaswinder Singh – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 46.0 – ZW
- Hariprasad Sathedeevi – Batsman – Avg. Points: 46.0 – ZAS
- Anupam Singh – All-Rounder – Avg. Points: 40.0 – ZAS
Number of players in the list from each team:
- Zagreb Assassins (ZAS): 6
- Zagreb Warriors (ZW): 5
Number of players from each skill type:
- All-Rounder: 4
- Bowler: 3
- Batsman: 3
- Wicket-Keeper: 1
Connect with the ECN on our Official Telegram Channel for previews and Win Probability