The European Cricket Network live broadcasts the 2020 European Cricket Series Barcelona encounter between Badalona Shaheen and United Girona.
Tune in to the live action Monday from 9am CEST * 8am UK * 7am GMT * 12:30pm IST from the Montjuïc ground in Barcelona, Spain.
Team Preview for Badalona Shaheen
Badalona Shaheen CC are coming off some strong T20 form last season in which they won 19 out of their 22 matches. Their T10 form has not been as impressive, winning only one of their five matches in the T10 Blast this year. They will be keen to put their best foot forward in the first of sixty matches in Barcelona.
Captain: Dilawar Khan
Main Wicketkeeper: Babar Khan
Key Players:
Babar Khan is a very impressive young cricketer. At only 20 years old, he has dual responsibilities of opening the batting and doing the wicketkeeping for Badalona Shaheen. He has proved his dominance at junior levels, so the European Cricket Series is an ideal backdrop for him to show off his attacking instincts and take his game to the next level.
Mustafa Saleem will open the batting with Babar Khan. The aggressive left-hander will look to go over the top in the power play and get his team off to a fast start.
Hamza Saleem is an important all-rounder for Badalona Shaheen. He will bat in the top four and open the bowling. His recent experience playing for the Spanish national team will be invaluable in pressure situations.
Team Preview for United Girona
United CC Girona also had a good record in the Liga Catalana T20 competition last year, winning 15 matches and losing only six. Like Badalona Shaheen, they have struggled for form in T10 cricket, winning only two out of their five matches. With the possible exception of their matchup with arch-rivals Catalunya Tigers next week, this opening match could be the biggest test for United. They will be without star player Mirza Basharat Aziz, who misses this match with a leg injury.
Captain: Mirza Imtiaz Asghar
Main Wicketkeeper: Abid Mahboob
Key Players:
Muhammad Jafri will open the batting and provide some useful medium-fast bowling for United. This big-hitter starred represented Janjua Brescia at the European Cricket League and Jinnah Brescia at the recent European Cricket Series Rome. His ECS form was a little disappointing last month, so he will relish the chance to stamp his authority on this match.
Aziz Mohammad Babarkrkhail is a chance to open both the batting and the bowling for United Girona. With international experience for Belgium, he knows how to control an innings and will provide a cool head.
Muhammad Sheraz will provide some left arm spin for his captain. The short boundaries in the European Cricket Series aren’t too forgiving for the slow bowlers but the freshly laid pitch should give him some assistance and turn.
Mr Maximo’s tip: UNITED GIRONA
This is the first match of SIXTY games in the European Cricket Series Barcelona, which will be played over fifteen match days and include sixteen teams, being played on the stadium which hosted baseball at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Make no mistake, this is the biggest cricket event on the planet this year, so don’t miss a minute of the action on the European Cricket Network!
Both these teams have enjoyed success over the past couple of years, although they will book be keen to improve their disappointing records in the T10 format. United will miss Mirza Basharat Aziz, but the inclusion of Jafri mitigates this loss somewhat. Badalona Shaheen need to come out of the blocks fast if they are to set the pace and although they are capable, I’m slightly worried about the depth of their batting stocks. Ultimately, I think this will be a very close game and either team could emerge victorious, but my prediction will be that United Girona will prevail narrowly.
