ECS Finland, 2025 – Qualifier 2: BTCC Dark Knights vs Hadley's Empire XI – Pre-Match Analysis
Event: ECS Finland, 2025
Match: BTCC Dark Knights (BTCC) vs Hadley's Empire XI (EMP)
Match Name: ECS Finland, 2025 Finals Match Day 1 Match 23 (Qualifier 2)
Date: 27 June 2025
Start Time: 14:15 Local Time | 15:45 IST
Venue: Kerava National Cricket Ground
Format: T10
Toss: Hadley's Empire XI won the toss and elected to field
Spotlight: Predicted Standouts
- Most 6s: Afzal Hossain (BTCC) – Career average of 3 sixes per match
- Most Runs: Afzal Hossain (BTCC) – Career average of 28 runs per match
- Most Wickets: Belayet Khan (BTCC) & Kripesh Sangroula (EMP) – Both average 1 wicket per match
- Match MVP: Nicholas Salonen (EMP) – Career average of 76 fantasy points per match
Team Introductions & Key Stats
Hadley's Empire XI (EMP)
- Matches Played: 27
- Matches Won: 17
- Win Percentage: 62.96%
- Strongest Player (Career Avg. Fantasy Points): Nicholas Salonen (76 per match)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Avg. Fantasy Points): Jordan O'Brien (98 per match)
- Top Six-Hitter: Jordan O'Brien (131 career sixes)
- Top Wicket-Taker: Raaz Mohammad (career bowling fantasy points: 722; 1 three-wicket match)
BTCC Dark Knights (BTCC)
- Matches Played: 17
- Matches Won: 10
- Win Percentage: 58.82%
- Strongest Player (Career Avg. Fantasy Points): Afzal Hossain (79 per match)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Avg. Fantasy Points): Afzal Hossain (79 per match)
- Top Six-Hitter: Afzal Hossain (18 career sixes, 3 per match)
- Top Wicket-Taker: Belayet Khan (career average 1 wicket per match)
Player Highlights
Hadley's Empire XI (EMP)
Nicholas Salonen – All Rounder
Salonen, the captain, is the heartbeat of EMP with a stellar all-round record. Over 44 matches, they have amassed 3358 career fantasy points, averaging 76 per match, and have been named Player of the Match three times. With 93 sixes and 75 fours, Salonen is a consistent boundary-hitter, averaging 2 sixes and 23 runs per match. Their bowling adds further value, with 790 career bowling fantasy points and a best of 3 wickets in a match. In the current event, Salonen continues to impress, averaging 80 fantasy points per match.
Amjad Sher – All Rounder
Sher brings experience and impact, with 2476 career fantasy points (56 per match) and five Player of the Match awards. With 54 sixes and 39 fours, Sher is a reliable middle-order batter, and their bowling (1020 career bowling fantasy points, 23 per match) makes them a dual threat. Sher’s current event form is strong, averaging 75 fantasy points per match, with 9 sixes and 4 fours already.
Jordan O'Brien – Batsman/Wicket Keeper
O'Brien is EMP’s most explosive batter, with 3606 career fantasy points (68 per match) and a remarkable 131 sixes in 53 matches. Their top score of 128 and a highest single-match fantasy haul of 276 points highlight their match-winning potential. O'Brien is in red-hot form this event, averaging 98 fantasy points per match, with 21 sixes and a fifty already.
Kripesh Sangroula – Bowler
Sangroula is EMP’s emerging bowling star, with 280 career fantasy points from just 5 matches (56 per match). With two three-wicket hauls in the current event and a best of 101 points in a match, Sangroula is a genuine wicket-taking threat, averaging 1 wicket per match.
BTCC Dark Knights (BTCC)
Afzal Hossain – Batsman
Hossain is BTCC’s talisman, leading both the sixes (18) and runs (28 per match) charts. With 393 career fantasy points from just 5 matches (79 per match) and two Player of the Match awards, Hossain is a game-changer. Their current event form is equally impressive, with 18 sixes and 66 batting fantasy points per match.
Shahed Alam – All Rounder
Alam is a dynamic all-rounder, with 501 career fantasy points (72 per match) and a Player of the Match award. Alam’s batting is a key asset, with 11 sixes, 20 fours, and a top score of 90. In the current event, Alam averages 72 fantasy points per match, with 10 sixes and a fifty.
Jobaer Hossain Moon – Batsman
Moon is a rising star, with 225 career fantasy points (45 per match) and a top score of 77. Their current event performance includes a fifty and 10 sixes, underlining their ability to clear the ropes and anchor the innings.
Belayet Khan – Bowler
Khan is BTCC’s leading bowler, with 410 career fantasy points (46 per match) and a consistent wicket-taking record (1 per match). With 290 bowling fantasy points and a best of 2 wickets in a match, Khan is a reliable option with the ball.
Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head
Afzal Hossain (BTCC) vs Jordan O'Brien (EMP):
Both are six-hitting machines, but O'Brien’s experience (131 sixes, 27 runs per match) edges Hossain’s raw power (18 sixes, 28 runs per match). Fantasy-wise, O'Brien averages 68 points per match to Hossain’s 79, making this a marquee battle.Belayet Khan (BTCC) vs Kripesh Sangroula (EMP):
Both average 1 wicket per match, but Sangroula’s recent form (two three-wicket hauls in the event) could give EMP the edge in the bowling department.Shahed Alam (BTCC) vs Amjad Sher (EMP):
Both are all-rounders with the ability to change the game with bat or ball. Sher’s experience and five Player of the Match awards make them a proven performer, while Alam’s current event form (72 points per match) is noteworthy.
Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations
Safe Choices:
- Nicholas Salonen (EMP): Consistent all-rounder, high fantasy average, and captaincy experience.
- Afzal Hossain (BTCC): Explosive batter, highest sixes and runs per match, and in top form.
Bold Picks:
- Jordan O'Brien (EMP): Capable of massive scores and sixes, especially in T10.
- Shahed Alam (BTCC): All-rounder with high ceiling, especially if they get a chance with both bat and ball.
Insights & Key Matchups
- Boundary Battle: With O'Brien and Hossain both averaging 2+ sixes per match, expect fireworks at the top of the order.
- Bowling Deciders: The contest between Khan and Sangroula could determine which team controls the middle overs.
- All-Round Impact: Salonen and Sher for EMP, and Alam for BTCC, are the players most likely to influence the match in multiple facets.
- Fielding Factor: O'Brien’s 26 career catches and Salonen’s 23 highlight EMP’s sharpness in the field, which could be crucial in a T10 format.
Final Word
With both teams boasting explosive batters and crafty bowlers, Qualifier 2 at Kerava National Cricket Ground promises to be a high-octane contest. EMP’s experience and all-round depth, led by Salonen and O'Brien, will be tested by BTCC’s youthful exuberance and the six-hitting prowess of Hossain. Expect a match filled with big hits, quick wickets, and fantasy points galore as both sides vie for a spot in the ECS Finland, 2025 Finals.
Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling T10 encounter!
- Afzal Hossain – Batsman – Avg. Points: 79.0 – BTCC
- Nicholas Salonen – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 76.0 – HE
- Shahed Alam – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 72.0 – BTCC
- Jordan O'Brien – Batsman – Avg. Points: 68.0 – HE
- Ahsan Majid – Batsman – Avg. Points: 63.0 – HE
- Amjad Sher – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 56.0 – HE
- Kripesh Sangroula – Bowler – Avg. Points: 56.0 – HE
- Vanraaj Padhaal – Batsman – Avg. Points: 55.0 – HE
- Belayet Khan – Bowler – Avg. Points: 46.0 – BTCC
- Jobaer Hossain Moon – Batsman – Avg. Points: 45.0 – BTCC
- Mohiuddin-Al Belal – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 41.0 – BTCC
Number of players from each team:
- BTCC Dark Knights (BTCC): 5
- Hadley's Empire XI (HE): 6
Number of players from each skill type:
- Batsman: 5
- All Rounder: 3
- Bowler: 2
- Wicket Keeper: 0
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