INB Last Five Matches: W W L W W (Avg Score For 111, Avg Score Against 90)
MUS Last Five Matches: W W W L W (Avg Score For 96, Avg Score Against 81)
INDO-BULGARIAN CC (INB)
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 FIVE wickets in four matches.
Hristo Lakov, the all-rounder started slowly with the bat but has picked up pace scoring 152 runs in eight innings. He is also making significant contributions with the ball picking up EIGHT wickets.
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 10 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 114 runs with the bat.
ACADEMIC - MU SOFIA (MUS)
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:
Kevin D’Souza caught the eye last season with an impressive knock of 67 off 20 balls vs Indo-Bulgarian CC to win the game. He is the best power hitter in the MUS side. Has racked up 163 runs in nine innings at a staggering strike rate of 214 scoring over 82% 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 11 scalps.
Huzaif Yousuf, another youngster who is shining bright in this tournament, has bagged NINE wickets and has been economical. Got to open on Wednesday and hammered 20 runs in the first over. Mustered 15 off 9 in the second qualifier.
Delrick Vinu, the 24-year old fast bowler has been impressive picking up 10 wickets with a best return of 3-4 and is the joint second highest wicket taker in the tournament.
Indo-Bulgarian beat MUS for the third time in the tournament and are making their second appearance in the finals. Having ended as runners up last season, INB have taken the right strides towards going one step further this time around. Academic - MU Sofia make their way into the final with a convincing win over PLO in the second qualifier.
The two sides meet for the fourth time in the competition with INB winning on all three previous occasions. Can MUS get that elusive win against INB to clinch the title?
Last time they met: ECS21.529 | INB 00 def MUS 00 (10 Jul 2021)
Match Prediction: Indo-Bulgarian (INB) to be crowned champions in Bulgaria.
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