The European Cricket Network live broadcasts the 2020 European Cricket Series Cartaxo semi-final encounter between Malo Vilamoura and Rossio.
Tune in to the live action Friday from 9:30am CEST * 8:30am UK * 7:30 GMT * 1pm IST from the Cartaxo Cricket Ground in Cartaxo, Portugal.
Team Preview for Malo Vilamoura
Malo Cricket Club Vilamoura finished top of the table after the round robin stage. They were the only team to win four out of their five matches and rightfully start Finals Friday as the favourites to lift the trophy. Standing in their way of a spot in the final are Rossio CC.
Captain: Mian Shahid
Main Wicketkeeper: Jayesh Popat
Key Players:
Muhammed Adnan is MCCV’s leading run-scorer and has done so at a strike rate of 260! Of the 22 sixes Malo Vilamoura have hit this week, 10 have come off his bat. He was run out without facing a ball in their only loss and this shows how integral he is to their batting lineup. With the ball, he has picked up five wickets at an economy rate under eight runs per over.
Amir Zaib has been an excellent all-round performer this week. He is their second-leading run scorer and has a team high seven wickets. His economy rate of 6.70 is very impressive too. He started the week with a breathtaking haul of 4 for 7 against Alvalade and hasn’t looked back since.
Assad Mehmood has been an attacking bowler this week in Cartaxo. He has six wickets to his name but has not been quite as economical as some of their other bowlers. He will look to keep taking wickets on Finals Friday.
Team Preview for Rossio
Rossio CC finished fourth on net run rate behind Oeiras and Alvalade who also netted three wins in the preliminary stages. No doubt the highlight for Rossio was the Golden Ball victory on Wednesday, only the second time the fielding team has won the tiebreaker. They have shown they can win the big moments, but can they win the big games? We’ll find out in this do-or-die semi-final showdown.
Captain: Mohammad Siraj Nipo
Main Wicketkeeper: Arslan Naseem
Key Players:
Mohammad Siraj Nipo was their Golden Ball hero and showed he’s the man most likely to step up when his team need him. He has had the ball on a string with his left arm spin and his 10 overs in this week have only been hit for 53 runs! He is yet to really fire with the bat, but if he does then Rossio could be a threat.
Azher Andani can bat anywhere in the top six and his form has improved as the week has gone on. He shone with an unbeaten 40 in their last preliminary match, guiding team home against Amigos Ansião to guarantee their place in the top four.
Rahul Bhardwaj is Rossio’s leading wicket-taker, picking up seven victims this week. His economy rate of 6.33 is excellent and he is one bowler who the Malo Vilamoura batsmen will have to work hard to get away.
Mr Maximo’s tip: MALO VILAMOURA
We have seen fourth defeat first a number of times in European Cricket Series this year and so I’m reminded that these games are no gimmes for the higher-placed team. Having said that I do believe Rossio will find it difficult to contain the firepower of MCCV and for that reason I believe Malo CC Vilamoura will be the first team to book themselves into the Gold Final. Join us for the final four frenzy on Finals Friday, live on the European Cricket Network!
