PREVIEW: MATCH 1 – Baneasa CC v Cluj CC – European Cricket Series Romania

Tune in to the live action Saturday from 9am CEST * 8am UK * 7am GMT * 12:30am IST from the Moara Vlasiei Cricket Ground in Bucharest, Romania.

Team Preview for Baneasa CC

Baneasa have some talented players, but they face a stiff task first up in their opening match against reigning national champions, Cluj CC.

Captain: Umair Mir

Main Wicketkeeper: Abdul Shakoor

Key Players:

Ijaz Hussain will open the batting and probably the bowling too. He is a hard-hitting batsman and can generate decent pace with the ball.

Abdul Shakoor Is a very versatile batsman. He has got a solid technique but can up the ante if the situation dictates. He's also a very competent behind the stumps which is a crucial role in any form of cricket.

Rohit Kumar is a powerful left-handed batsman who will open with Hussain. He won’t be afraid to go over the infield early in his innings.

Waqar Abbasi is probably their most attacking bowler. He is likely to take the new ball and can also provide some lower order hitting power if required.

Team Preview for Cluj CC

Cluj have been the premier club in the country over the last couple of seasons. As national champions, they represented Romania at the European Cricket League last year, the “Champions League of European Cricket”. They will be the team to beat in this tournament, although they will start without the services of regular wicketkeeper Satwik Nadigotla who has a minor injury.

Captain: Arun Chandrasekharan

Main Wicketkeeper: Sohel Shaikh

Key Players:

Taranjeet Singh showed his class with several good knocks at ECL19. He will open the batting and look to attack from the very start. His off spinners are also a bowling weapon for his captain to use as he sees fit.

Vasu Saini is a good all-round cricketer. He is likely to bat in the number three position and is also a crafty medium pacer. In the field, he generally has a safe pair of hands.

Nishant Devre is one of the new faces at the club. This left-hander is a very stylish batsman but also has impressive power. He knows how to clear the boundary and for that reason I think we’ll see him opening the innings in the T10 format.

Arun Chandrasekharan leads the side. He is an enthusiastic cricketer and has a knack of picking up wickets when needed with his off spinners.

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Mr Maximo’s tip: CLUJ CC

I’m certainly looking forward to the eight match series in Romania this weekend. It will be great to check in on Cluj, who impressed millions of viewers around the world with how they went about their cricket in ECL19. We will also see Pavel Florin in this tournament, who is on loan to United CC for the series. In this first match, although Baneasa have some talent amongst their squad, I see Cluj being too strong and so predict the will win the first match of four T10s on Saturday. Don’t miss a ball – tune in to the European Cricket Network to catch all the action from the beautiful Moara Vlasiei ground, considered by many to be the best cricket ground in Eastern Europe.