QUALIFIER 1 - MATCH 22 (ECS21.529) INDO-BULGARIAN CC (INB) v ACADEMIC - MU SOFIA (MUS) 0800 GMT | 1000 CET | 1330 IST
INB Last Five Matches: W W W L W (Avg Score For 118, Avg Score Against 95)
MUS Last Five Matches: W W W W W (Avg Score For 96, Avg Score Against 64)
Captain: Prakash Mishra
Wicketkeeper: Shafquat Khan
Projected Top Four: Hristo Lakov, Prakash Mishra, Bakhtiar Tahiri, Rohit Dhiman
Projected Opening Bowlers: Hristo Lakov, Rohit Singh
Spin Options: Bakhtiar Tahiri
INDO-BULGARIAN CC Key Players:
Bakhtiar Tahiri, MVP last term, ended as the leading run scorer with an amazing 531 runs. Hasn’t played much this year, but has scalped FOUR wickets in three matches.
Hristo Lakov, the all-rounder started slowly with the bat but has picked up pace scoring 133 runs in seven innings. He is also making significant contributions with the ball picking up SIX wickets in six games.
Prakash Mishra, captain, was joint leading wicket taker for his side last summer scalping NINE victims. He also mustered 84 runs at a SR of 200! Also skippers the Bulgaria national team. He is currently leading the scoring sheets with 261 runs at an SR of 209 including three fifties. Has also picked up NINE wickets.
Rohit Dhiman has impressed in his debut ECS season. The medium pacer has consistently bowled in good channels and been rewarded with SEVEN wickets. Has also racked up 113 runs with the bat.
Captain: Ishan De Silva
Wicketkeeper: Omar Rasool
Projected Top Four: Omar Rasool, Ishan De Silva, Kevin D’Souza, Ashbel Nicson
Projected Opening Bowlers: Huzaif Yousuf, Ali Rasool
Spin Options: Firas Hussain
ACADEMIC - MU SOFIA Key Players:
Ishan De Silva, leading run scorer for MU-Sofia in the 2020 season - 546 runs! Scored his maiden International T20 century for the Bulgaria vs Serbia - 100* which is the 11th highest ever by a number 3 batsman. After a series of low scores, Ishan got some runs under his belt scoring 77 runs in eight matches.
Kevin D’Souzacaught the eye last season with an impressive knock of 67 off 20 balls vs Indo-Bulgarian CC to win the game. Amassed a total of 198 runs at a strike rate of 257! He is the best power hitter in the MUS side. Has racked up 121 runs in seven innings at a staggering strike rate of 205 scoring 81% of his runs in boundaries.
Ali Rasool, the 18-year old left arm medium pacer has been the surprise package bowling with great control and accuracy. He is leading the wicket taking sheets with NINE scalps conceding at just 6.85 runs per over.
Huzaif Yousuf, another youngster who is shining bright in this tournament, has bagged SIX wickets and has been economical. Got to open on Wednesday and hammered 20 runs in the first over.
Delrick Vinu, the 24-year old fast bowler has been impressive picking up EIGHT wickets with a best return of 3-4 and is the third highest wicket taker in the tournament.
The two teams that played the opening double header on Monday lock horns in the first qualifier for a place in the Final. Academic - MU Sofia slipped to a narrow defeat in that opener, before being taken to the cleaners by Indo-Bulgarian in the second meeting. However, MUS have not looked back with six straight wins, since those early setbacks. INB, who were unbeaten until Thursday, are coming into this game after losing their winning streak to Barbarians. Although INB recovered quickly to even the scores against BAR, a sterner challenge awaits against an in-form MUS side with lots of momentum.
Last time they met: ECS21.509 | INB 78(6.5) def MUS 76 (5 Jul 2021)
Match Prediction: Academic - MU Sofia (MUS) to seal a place in the final with a narrow win.
Tune into the live action from Hungary from Monday to Saturday from * 0700 GMT * 0900 CEST * 1230 IST.
