The European Cricket Network live broadcasts the 2020 European Cricket Series Cyprus encounter between Cyprus Eagles CTL and Nicosia Tigers.
Tune in to the live action Saturday from 8am CEST * 7am UK * 6am GMT * 12:30pm IST from the Ypsonas Cricket Ground in Cyprus.
Team Preview for Cyprus Eagles CTL
Cyprus Eagles CTL are sitting second in the standings with a 5 and 1 record, and only net run rate keeping them out of top spot. They play back to back in the first two matches of the day, first against the Tigers and then against Riyaan. The Eagles can still grab that top spot but would likely have to win both remaining matches to do so. I expect them to rest Mehran Khan for this game, who has been their most consistent performer for the series.
Captain: Murali Alanki
Main Wicketkeeper: Zeeshan Sarwar
Key Players:
Zeeshan Sarwar will probably take the gloves in this match. He is a big hitter who has scored 58% of his runs in maximos this week. His strike rate of 269 is the best of any batsman in the tournament.
Rajasekhar Poluri was a revelation on Friday, with back to back half centuries. He now has 170 runs in the tournament at a strike rate of 261. Behind Sarwar, it’s the second-best strike rate of any batsman in Cyprus this week.
Gurpratap Singh returns for another appearance. He bossed the previous tournament when a part of the Punjab Lions organisation as an all-round star. He will want to get in the swing of things to secure his spot in the Eagles’ Super Sunday team.
Team Preview for Nicosia Tigers
The Tigers are third, with four wins and two losses. I think they're the most improved team in Cyprus, and they've done it without too many heroics from their star recruit Mangala Gunasekara. They will be looking for some good performances in their two games on Saturday heading into Super Sunday where it will be do or die!
Captain: Faysal Mia
Main Wicketkeeper: Yasir Khan
Key Players:
Roman Mazumder is the most improved player in the tournament. He's been incredibly consistent for the Tigers and is now comfortably the leading run scorer out of any player in Cyprus, with 234. His knock of 80 on Monday is still the highest individual score for the week.
Mangala Gunasekara has been solid but not outstanding as a Tiger. He averaged 387 with the bat as a Punjab Lion but only averages 18 with his new side. We know what he is capable of though, and he could break out at any minute. He is an option to open the batting and the bowling.
YasirKhan is another one yet to play to his full potential in this tournament. Dealing with some minor injuries, their leading run scorer from the previous series will be looking to have a big weekend.
Mr Maximo’s tip: CYPRUS EAGLES CTL
Both these teams are already assured of Super Sunday action, so we could expect to see them experiment a bit in their final preliminary matches on Saturday. The Eagles and the Tigers could easily meet in a semi-final on Sunday so it they will want to secure a confidence-building win in this match. Despite Mehran Khan being rested, I like the inclusions for the Eagles and so have tipped them to win this match, although watch out if Mangala “THE BIG GUN” Gunasekara hits his straps, because he is a wildcard for the Tigers and if he gets going, anything is possible.
