The European Cricket Network live broadcasts the 2020 European Cricket Series Prague qualifying final encounter between Prague CC and Prague Barbarians.
Tune in to the live action Friday from 10am CEST * 9am UK * 8am GMT * 1:30pm IST from Scott Page Field in the Czech Republic.
Team Preview for Prague CC
Prague CC shot to the top of the table after winning their final preliminary match but faltered in the first qualifier, going down 129-110 to Vinohrady CC. To force a rematch in the final they will need to get past the Barbarians which will be no easy feat.
Captain: Sudesh Wickramasekara
Main Wicketkeeper: Hilal Ahmad
Key Players:
Sharan Ramakrishnan has had a great week, opening the batting and being a very useful bowling option, taking five wickets for PCC. He still hasn’t made a really big score with the bat, so would love nothing more than to carry his team to the final off his own blade.
Sudesh Wickramasekara is “THE BEAST”. He is the player that Barbarians would no doubt be fearing the most and has had plenty of good moment this week in Prague. The joint T20 international fastest century record-holder is the sort of player who can tear a game apart, with bat or ball.
Ali Hassan Sittar didn’t have the greatest game in their last match, going for 19 off a solitary over, but he has been a very good bowler for them this week and I expect him to bounce back.
Sameera Maduranga finally got some of the wickets he deserved in the Eliminator, picking up 2 for 14 off two overs, keeping things tight and striking early in the innings.
Team Preview for Prague Barbarians
Despite finishing the preliminary matches with three wins and a loss, the same record as PCC and Vinohrady, Barbarians finished in third place because of their inferior net run rate. They swept aside United in the eliminator, scoring a colossal 139 off their 10 overs, and seem to be coming into form with the bat at the right time.
Captain: Pradeep Gangappa
Main Wicketkeeper: Divyendra Singh
Key Players:
Sabawoon Davizi was having a quiet week by his standards but cut loose in the Eliminator, blasting 67 off only 24 balls before tragically running himself out when he looked on course for the first century of the week. He struck the ball elegantly in that innings with precision footwork and effortless timing. “The Water Boy” will be showered with praise if he can deliver again in this crucial match.
Jahanur Hoque was a good foil for Davizi at the top of the order. He struck 27 off 18 balls off his own bat but I was impressed by the way he gave Davizi the strike so he could inflict maximum pain on the bowlers. Barbarians would be wise to retain the same opening combination for this game.
Divyendra Singh hasn’t had too many opportunities to shine with the bat but I feel that he will step up when the moment comes. He has also been doing a commendable job with the wicketkeeping gloves.
Abul Farhad is on loan for Bohemian CC and has been the Barbarians’ leading wicket-taker this week. They will be happy they have him on their side for this series as he was very damaging against them in the ECN Czech Super Series Championship Weekend final, taking 3 for 16 in that match back in July, so we know he is a big game player.
Mr Maximo’s tip: PRAGUE BARBARIANS
All three of the teams still standing in the Czech Republic can beat each other in any game and so these matches are tremendously difficult to predict. Many observers would see this as a battle between THE BEAST (Sudesh Wickramasekara) and THE WATER BOY (Sabawoon Davizi) for the right to face THE TANK (Ritik Tomar from Vinohrady) in the final of the ECS Prague. That being said, there are numerous players on both sides that could affect the outcome of this one. In the end, I’ve decided to pick Prague Barbarians because they look to be hitting form at the right time. But don’t rule out a Golden Ball finish, we’re yet to see one yet in Prague and I feel that we’ll see something special on the final day of action. Tune in to the European Cricket Network for all the action, wherever you are around the world!
