The European Cricket Network live broadcasts the 2020 European Cricket Series Cartaxo encounter between Alvalade and Malo Vilamoura.
Tune in to the live action Monday from 9:30am CEST * 8:30am UK * 7:30 GMT * 1pm IST from the Cartaxo Cricket Ground in Cartaxo, Portugal.
Team Preview for Alvalade
Alvalade Asian Cricket Club come into the series on the back of several strong performances in 2020. They will be keen to start the week with a win in the opening fixture, as in my opinion Malo Vilamoura will be the stiffest competition that they will face in their quest for the trophy.
Captain: Rao Muhammad
Main Wicketkeeper: Abdul Qazi
Key Players:
Rana Sarwar is a dangerous player for Alvalade on a number of fronts. He will bat in the key number three position, as well as opening the bowling. He can even provide insurance behind the stumps if required at some point during the week. He is a big six hitter and I expect a few maximos off his blade during the series.
Rao Muhammad is Alvalade’s captain and arguably one of the best batsmen Portugal has ever produced. I expect him to open the batting. T10 will be a new experience even for an experienced campaigner like Rao, and he will have to go hard from the start.
Arslan Nawaz will open the bowling and is also capable of providing some fireworks in the middle order. If he is hitting them well, he could be a candidate to bat a little bit higher during the tournament.
Parveen Singh Jr is a handy cricketer. He will probably bat at number four and his left arm seamers provide a change of angle for his captain when he is brought on to bowl.
Team Preview for Malo Vilamoura
Malo Cricket Club Vilamoura have been the premier Portuguese team in recent years. In 2020, this dominance has been challenged by Alvalade, so the European Cricket Series provides an opportunity to settle the score and show that they are still the team to beat in Portugal.
Captain: Mian Shahid
Main Wicketkeeper: Jayesh Popat
Key Players:
Muhammed Adnan can blast Malo Vilamoura to a winning score. He can be expected to open the batting in the European Cricket Series and is a powerful hitter of a cricket ball. Opposition teams will want to see the back of him early!
Mian Shahid will open the batting with Adnan. The 43-year-old MCCV captain has a wealth of experience to call on, including national team experience which will be a valuable asset during the week in Cartaxo.
Zafar Ali is a threat with both bat and ball. Considered a bowling all-rounder, I expect him to open the bowling for Malo Vilamoura and he could be pushed up the order as high as number three.
Assad Mehmood could open the bowling for MCCV with his left arm spin. It is a gamble that could pay off in the powerplay, as the top order batsmen won’t have the pace they would have expected to work with.
Mr Maximo’s tip: ALVALADE
I believe that these two sides are the strongest two of the six teams taking part in the European Cricket Series Cartaxo. It is true that Malo Vilamoura have been the highest-rated team in the country over recent seasons, but we have seen Alvalade come to the fore in 2020 and they won the most recent contest between these two teams. Ultimately, this game is still a toss-up. On the basis of this recent form, I am tipping Alvalade to win the first match of the series. Tune in for four matches, every day this week on the European Cricket Network!
