ECS Finland, 2025 Final: Greater Helsinki Markhors (GHM) vs Hadley's Empire XI (EMP) – Match Preview
Event: ECS Finland, 2025
Match: GHM vs EMP – Finals, Match Day 1, Match 24 (Final)
Date: 27 June 2025
Start Time: 17:15 Local Time | 18:45 IST
Venue: Kerava National Cricket Ground
Format: T10
Toss: Hadley's Empire XI won the toss and elected to field
Match Type: Final
The Grand Finale Awaits
The stage is set at the Kerava National Cricket Ground for the much-anticipated final of ECS Finland, 2025. After a fiercely contested tournament, the two most consistent teams—Greater Helsinki Markhors (GHM) and Hadley's Empire XI (EMP)—will battle for supremacy in the T10 format. With Hadley's Empire XI winning the toss and opting to field, the pressure is on the Markhors to set a challenging total in this high-stakes encounter.
Predicted Standouts: Who Will Shine?
Most Sixes:
Jordan O'Brien (EMP) and Nicholas Salonen (EMP) both average 2 sixes per match over their careers, making them the most likely to clear the ropes frequently in the final.Most Runs:
Jordan O'Brien (EMP) leads with a career average of 27 runs per match, closely followed by Nicholas Salonen (23) and Vanraaj Padhaal (22).Most Wickets:
Ziaur Rehman (GHM), with a career average of 1 wicket per match, is the leading wicket-taker on average among all players in this final.Match MVP:
Ziaur Rehman (GHM) boasts the highest average fantasy points per match over their career (88), making them the top candidate for the MVP award.
Team Introductions & Key Stats
Hadley's Empire XI (EMP)
- Matches Played: 28
- Matches Won: 18
- Win Percentage: 64.3%
- Strongest Player (Career Avg. Fantasy Points): Nicholas Salonen (78 per match)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Avg. Fantasy Points): Nicholas Salonen (96 per match)
- Top Six-Hitter (Career): Jordan O'Brien (132 sixes, 2 per match)
- Top Wicket-Taker (Career): Raaz Mohammad (most wickets in a match: 3, 40 matches played)
EMP have been the team to beat this season, combining explosive batting with disciplined bowling. Their depth is reflected in the number of players with high fantasy averages and match-winning performances.
Greater Helsinki Markhors (GHM)
- Matches Played: 8
- Matches Won: 4
- Win Percentage: 50%
- Strongest Player (Career Avg. Fantasy Points): Ziaur Rehman (88 per match)
- Strongest Player (Current Event Avg. Fantasy Points): Ziaur Rehman (121 per match)
- Top Six-Hitter (Career): Faheem Nellancheri (60 sixes, 1 per match)
- Top Wicket-Taker (Career): Ziaur Rehman (most wickets in a match: 3, 13 matches played)
GHM have relied on a core group of high-impact players, with Ziaur Rehman leading from the front as both a batter and a bowler.
Player Highlights
Hadley's Empire XI (EMP)
Nicholas Salonen – All Rounder
Salonen is EMP’s talisman, with a staggering 3,500 career fantasy points and an average of 78 per match. In the current event, they have elevated their game further, averaging 96 fantasy points per match. With 99 career sixes and 81 fours, Salonen is a genuine power-hitter, and their 785 bowling fantasy points underline their all-round value. Four Player of the Match awards (8.9% of matches) highlight their match-winning pedigree.
Jordan O'Brien – Batsman (Wicket Keeper)
O'Brien is the most prolific six-hitter in the final, with 132 career sixes and a career average of 27 runs per match. Their fantasy consistency is remarkable: 3,623 career points at 67 per match, and 84 per match in this event. O'Brien’s 10 fifties and a century, along with 26 catches, make them a multi-dimensional threat. Five Player of the Match awards further cement their status as a big-game player.
Vanraaj Padhaal – Batsman
Padhaal has 963 career fantasy points (54 per match) and is averaging 55 per match in this event. With 30 sixes and 37 fours, they are a reliable boundary-hitter. Notably, Padhaal has four Player of the Match awards from 18 matches (22.2%), the highest ratio among all players in this final.
Amjad Sher – All Rounder
Sher is a proven performer with 2,535 career fantasy points (56 per match) and 73 per match in this event. With 56 sixes and 39 fours, Sher is a dangerous batter, and their 1,020 bowling fantasy points (23 per match) make them a genuine all-rounder. Five Player of the Match awards highlight their ability to deliver under pressure.
Greater Helsinki Markhors (GHM)
Ziaur Rehman – Batsman (Captain)
Rehman is the heartbeat of GHM, with 1,146 career fantasy points (88 per match) and an astonishing 121 per match in this event. Their all-round prowess is evident: 565 batting fantasy points, 507 bowling points, and 22 fielding points. With 17 sixes and 26 fours, Rehman is a consistent scorer and wicket-taker (1 per match). One Player of the Match award in 13 matches reflects their impact.
Faheem Nellancheri – Batsman (Wicket Keeper)
Nellancheri is GHM’s leading six-hitter (60 career sixes) and has 1,342 career fantasy points (41 per match), with 53 per match in this event. Their top score of 78 and three career fifties show their ability to anchor and accelerate. Two Player of the Match awards highlight their match-winning potential.
Farrukh Zeb – Bowler
Zeb has 503 career fantasy points (46 per match) and is averaging 57 per match in this event. With 15 sixes and 5 fours, Zeb is a handy lower-order batter, but their main value is with the ball—170 bowling fantasy points and a best of 2 wickets in a match. One Player of the Match award in 11 matches shows their ability to step up.
Shahzad Shabbir – Batsman
Shabbir is a new but explosive addition, with 211 fantasy points from just 2 matches (106 per match). With 8 sixes and 8 fours, and a top score of 47, Shabbir could be a surprise package in the final.
Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head
Jordan O'Brien (EMP) vs Ziaur Rehman (GHM):
O'Brien’s power-hitting (27 runs/match, 2 sixes/match) will be tested by Rehman’s all-round skills (1 wicket/match, 20 runs/match, 88 fantasy points/match). This battle could define the match’s momentum.Nicholas Salonen (EMP) vs Farrukh Zeb (GHM):
Salonen’s all-round dominance (78 fantasy points/match) faces Zeb’s bowling (46 fantasy points/match, 15 sixes as a batter). If Zeb can contain Salonen, GHM’s chances improve significantly.Vanraaj Padhaal (EMP) vs Faheem Nellancheri (GHM):
Both are key batters for their sides, with Padhaal’s 1 six per match and Nellancheri’s 1 six per match. Their ability to clear the ropes could swing the match.
Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations
Safe Picks
- Ziaur Rehman (GHM): Highest average fantasy points (88 career, 121 current event), all-round contributions.
- Nicholas Salonen (EMP): Consistent all-rounder, 78 career and 96 current event fantasy points per match.
Bold Picks
- Jordan O'Brien (EMP): Explosive batter, 67 career and 84 current event fantasy points per match, high sixes potential.
- Shahzad Shabbir (GHM): Small sample size but huge impact (106 fantasy points per match).
Insights & Key Matchups
- EMP’s Power-Hitters: With O'Brien, Salonen, and Padhaal, EMP have three players capable of changing the game in a matter of overs. Their combined six-hitting ability is unmatched.
- GHM’s All-Round Strength: Rehman’s dual threat with bat and ball, supported by Nellancheri and Zeb, gives GHM a fighting chance, especially if they can strike early with the ball.
- Fielding Impact: O'Brien (26 catches) and Salonen (23 catches) are among the best fielders, and their presence could be crucial in a tight final.
Conclusion
The ECS Finland, 2025 Final promises a thrilling contest between two well-matched teams. Hadley's Empire XI bring depth, experience, and explosive batting, while Greater Helsinki Markhors rely on their all-rounders and a few high-impact players. With fantasy points, sixes, and wickets all pointing to a high-octane clash, expect fireworks at Kerava National Cricket Ground as a new champion is crowned.
Don’t miss the action—this final has all the ingredients for a classic!
- Shahzad Shabbir – Batsman – Avg. Points: 106.0 – GHM
- Ziaur Rehman – Batsman – Avg. Points: 88.0 – GHM
- Nicholas Salonen – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 78.0 – HE
- Jordan O'Brien – Batsman – Avg. Points: 67.0 – HE
- Amjad Sher – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 56.0 – HE
- Vanraaj Padhaal – Batsman – Avg. Points: 54.0 – HE
- Ahsan Majid – Batsman – Avg. Points: 47.0 – HE
- Kripesh Sangroula – Bowler – Avg. Points: 47.0 – HE
- Farrukh Zeb – Bowler – Avg. Points: 46.0 – GHM
- Sudhanshu Pandey – Bowler – Avg. Points: 46.0 – HE
- Faheem Nellancheri – Batsman – Avg. Points: 41.0 – GHM
Number of players from each team:
- Hadley's Empire XI (HE): 7
- Greater Helsinki Markhors (GHM): 4
Number of players from each skill type:
- Batsman: 6
- All Rounder: 2
- Bowler: 3
- Wicket Keeper: 0
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