ECS Romania, 2025 – Match Preview
Bucharest Gladiators (BUG) vs Royal Eagles (RE)
ECS Romania, 2025 Single Group Match Day 4 – Match 17
Date: 4th June 2025
Start Time: 13:15 Local | 14:45 IST
Venue: Moara Vlasiei Cricket Ground
Format: T10
Match Type: Group Match
Toss: Bucharest Gladiators won the toss and elected to field.
Team Introductions
Bucharest Gladiators (BUG)
The Bucharest Gladiators, donning their signature red and dark blue, enter this contest with a strong record—winning 29 out of 51 matches, boasting a win percentage of 56.9%. Their campaign in ECS Romania, 2025, has been marked by a blend of all-rounders and specialist bowlers, making them a formidable side in the T10 format.
- Strongest Player (Fantasy Points):
- Likshan Sasanga leads the way with a remarkable average of 94 fantasy points per match in both his career and the current event.
- Top Batter (Most Career Sixes):
- Likshan Sasanga again stands out, having smashed 17 sixes in just 7 matches.
- Top Bowler (Most Career Wickets):
- While individual wicket tallies are not explicitly listed, Samiullah Safi and Ali Zawwar have been consistent wicket-takers, with Safi’s best being 3 wickets in a match.
Royal Eagles (RE)
The Royal Eagles, clad in dark blue, are one of the most successful teams in the competition, with 20 wins from 30 matches—a win percentage of 66.7%. Their squad is packed with explosive batters and dynamic bowlers, making them a balanced and dangerous opponent.
- Strongest Player (Fantasy Points):
- Taimoor Cheema is the standout, averaging 61 fantasy points per match in his career and 69 in the current event.
- Top Batter (Most Career Sixes):
- Shahab Alam is the six-hitting machine, clearing the ropes 50 times in 31 matches.
- Top Bowler (Most Career Wickets):
- Taimoor Cheema leads with a best of 4 wickets in a match and consistently high bowling fantasy points.
Player Highlights
Bucharest Gladiators (BUG)
1. Likshan Sasanga (All Rounder, BUG)
With an astonishing average of 94 fantasy points per match, Likshan Sasanga is the Gladiators’ talisman. In just 7 matches, he has scored 2 fifties, hit 17 sixes, and accumulated 435 batting fantasy points in the current event. His all-round prowess is further highlighted by 164 bowling fantasy points and a three-wicket haul in the event. Sasanga’s ability to change the game with both bat and ball makes him a must-watch.
2. Muhammad Rashid (All Rounder, BUG)
Rashid has been a revelation, averaging 53 fantasy points per match in both his career and the current event. He has contributed with both bat (44 top score, 4 sixes) and ball (130 bowling fantasy points in the event), and is a livewire in the field with 7 catches and a stumping. His all-round contributions provide crucial balance to the Gladiators’ lineup.
3. Talha Babar (All Rounder/Wicket Keeper, BUG)
Averaging 43 fantasy points per match, Talha Babar is another key all-rounder. He has hit 4 sixes and 5 fours in the event, and his 109 batting fantasy points are complemented by 131 with the ball. His fielding, with 3 catches, adds further value, making him a reliable pick in all departments.
4. Atif Naqvi (Batsman, BUG)
Naqvi brings experience and a proven track record, with 704 career fantasy points and a Player of the Match award to his name. He has hit 19 sixes and 28 fours in his career, and his 1 fifty in the current event underlines his ability to anchor the innings or accelerate as needed.
Royal Eagles (RE)
1. Taimoor Cheema (Bowler, RE)
Cheema is the Eagles’ all-round dynamo, averaging 61 fantasy points per match in his career and 69 in the current event. With 23 sixes, 16 fours, and 481 batting fantasy points, he is a threat with the bat. His bowling is even more impressive—945 career bowling fantasy points, a best of 4 wickets in a match, and 245 bowling points in the current event. Cheema’s fielding (13 catches) rounds out his all-round credentials.
2. Shahab Alam (Batsman/Captain, RE)
The captain leads from the front, with 1476 career fantasy points and 3 Player of the Match awards (9.7% award ratio). Alam has hit 50 sixes and 48 fours, scoring 1284 batting fantasy points. His consistency is reflected in his 41 average batting fantasy points per match, and he remains a key figure in the Eagles’ batting order.
3. Saood Jan (Batsman, RE)
Jan is an explosive batter, averaging 65 fantasy points per match in his career and 63 in the current event. He has hit 27 sixes and 21 fours, with a top score of 91 and a fifty in the current event. His 205 fantasy points in a single match highlight his match-winning potential.
4. Sheriyar Sohail (Wicket Keeper, RE)
Sohail is a consistent performer, with 1283 career fantasy points and a Player of the Match award. He has 61 fours and 25 sixes, and his 993 batting fantasy points are complemented by 150 in the field. Sohail’s 4 stumpings and 9 catches make him a valuable asset behind the stumps.
Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head
Likshan Sasanga (BUG) vs Taimoor Cheema (RE):
- Both are all-rounders with the ability to dominate with bat and ball. Sasanga averages 94 fantasy points per match, while Cheema averages 61 (career) and 69 (event). Sasanga’s 17 sixes in 7 matches will be tested against Cheema’s 41 average bowling fantasy points per match in the event.
Shahab Alam (RE) vs Samiullah Safi (BUG):
- Alam’s 50 career sixes and 1284 batting fantasy points make him a prime target for Safi, who has a best of 3 wickets in a match and 20 average bowling fantasy points per match.
Saood Jan (RE) vs Muhammad Rashid (BUG):
- Jan’s explosive batting (27 sixes, 205 fantasy points in a match) will face Rashid’s all-round skills, with 19 average bowling fantasy points per match and 7 fielding dismissals in the event.
Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations
Safe Picks
- Likshan Sasanga (BUG): His all-round dominance and consistency make him the safest captaincy choice.
- Taimoor Cheema (RE): Reliable with both bat and ball, and a high event average.
Bold Picks
- Saood Jan (RE): Capable of explosive innings and huge fantasy hauls.
- Muhammad Rashid (BUG): All-round contributions and fielding prowess offer high upside.
Insights & Key Matchups
Game-Changers:
- Likshan Sasanga and Taimoor Cheema are the most likely to swing the match with their all-round abilities.
- Shahab Alam and Saood Jan can take the game away with the bat, especially if they get going in the powerplay.
- Samiullah Safi and Umair Safi (RE) are the bowlers to watch for early breakthroughs.
Fantasy Focus:
- All-rounders and top-order batters are likely to dominate the fantasy charts in this T10 clash.
- Fielding points could be decisive, with several players (Sohail, Rashid, Cheema) contributing regularly in the field.
Conclusion
With both teams boasting explosive batters, dynamic all-rounders, and wicket-taking bowlers, this ECS Romania, 2025 Group Match promises high-octane action. The Bucharest Gladiators’ depth and the Royal Eagles’ winning pedigree set the stage for a thrilling contest at Moara Vlasiei Cricket Ground. Fantasy managers and fans alike should keep a close eye on the all-rounders and power hitters, as they are poised to be the difference-makers in this crucial encounter.
Top 11 Players by Highest Average Fantasy Points per Match
- Likshan Sasanga – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 94.0 – BGR
- Saood Jan – Batsman – Avg. Points: 65.0 – RE
- Taimoor Cheema – Bowler – Avg. Points: 61.0 – RE
- Muhammad Rashid – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 53.0 – BGR
- Shahab Alam – Batsman – Avg. Points: 48.0 – RE
- Waqas Ahmed – Bowler – Avg. Points: 48.0 – RE
- Talha Babar – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 43.0 – BGR
- Rickie Gill – All Rounder – Avg. Points: 40.0 – RE
- Rajinder Jassi – Bowler – Avg. Points: 38.0 – RE
- Sheriyar Sohail – Wicket Keeper – Avg. Points: 37.0 – RE
- Amir Fazal – Bowler – Avg. Points: 33.0 – RE
Number of Players from Each Team:
- Royal Eagles (RE): 7
- Bucharest Gladiators (BGR): 4
Number of Players from Each Skill Type:
- All Rounder: 3
- Batsman: 2
- Bowler: 4
- Wicket Keeper: 1
Short Team Names:
- Bucharest Gladiators = BGR
- Royal Eagles = RE
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