FanCode ECS Bulgaria provides an opportunity for five teams to showcase their skills, contesting 24 games over six days. Every game will be live streamed worldwide on the European Cricket Network and on FanCode - a multi-sport aggregator platform, from the house of Dream Sports for the Indian Sub-Continent.
European Cricket Network live broadcasts four T10 matches on Day 6 of the 2021 FanCode ECS Bulgaria on Saturday 10 July.
With 20 exciting T10 games in the books, we have reached the business end of the competition with the FanCode ECS Bulgaria trophy up for grabs on Saturday. Will the reigning champions bounce back to reclaim the title after finishing third in the group stages like last year or will we see a new champion crowned in Bulgaria?
Teams
INB Indo-Bulgarian CC (7-1, NRR+2.348)
MUS Academic - MU Sofia (6-2, NRR+1.594)
PLO BSCU - MU Plovdiv (3-4-1, NRR+0.601)
BAR Barbarians (2-5-1, NRR-3.595)
PLE VTU - MU Pleven (1-7, NRR-1.438)
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FINAL - MATCH 24 (ECS21.531)
INDO-BULGARIAN CC (INB) v ACADEMIC - MU SOFIA (MUS)
1400 GMT | 1600 CET | 1930 IST
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’Souzacaught 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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QUALIFIER 2 - MATCH 23 (ECS21.530)
ACADEMIC - MU SOFIA (MUS) v BSCU - MU PLOVDIV (PLO)
1100 GMT | 1300 CET | 1630 IST
MUS Last Five Matches: W W W W L (Avg Score For 96, Avg Score Against 70)
PLO Last Five Matches: L L W W W (Avg Score For 104, Avg Score Against 101)
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’Souzacaught 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 127 runs in eight innings at a staggering strike rate of 205 scoring 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 10 scalps.
Huzaif Yousuf, another youngster who is shining bright in this tournament, has bagged EIGHT 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 10 wickets with a best return of 3-4 and is the joint highest wicket taker in the tournament.
BSCU - MU PLOVDIV (PLO)
Captain: Saim Hussain
Wicketkeeper: Saim Hussain
Projected Top Four: Saleem Qureshi,Sulaiman Ali, Saim Hussain, Aamir Nakhuda
Projected Opening Bowlers: Sulaiman Ali, Ali Hussain
Spin Options: Adithya Patnam
BSCU - MU PLOVDIV Key Players:
Saim Hussain, second leading run scorer last term with 376 runs and a best of 102 not out. Started off with a bang scoring an unbeaten 67 off just 21 balls. Has racked up a total of 196 runs in seven innings and is the second highest run scorer in the tournament.
Sulaiman Ali, finally came good with the bat smashing 73 off 38 balls on Thursday. Has continued his good form since with an unbeaten 43 to take his side home vs PLE on Friday and a crucial 43 off 20 balls in the eliminator. Is currently third on the top run scorers in the tournament with 189 runs from eight games. Has also picked up SEVEN wickets.
Parth Acharya, will take the new cherry for PLO, has good pace and gets plenty of lateral movement, has scalped SIX wickets so far. He was hero for PLO in the eliminator defending seven runs in the final over and conceded just one run on Golden Ball winning the match for his side.
Faizan Rehman, the right arm medium pacer bagged a FOUR-fer on Friday against Pleven earning his first man of the match award.
BSCU - MU Plovdiv survived a massive scare against the raging Barbarians in the eliminator winning only on the Golden Ball. PLO now face Academic - MU Sofia who had a dismal batting performance in the first qualifier and will be seeking their batsmen to come good in this all important match-up. MUS have the wood over PLO beating them twice in the group stage but PLO can be threatening in the knockout stages.
Last time they met: ECS21.513 | MUS 65(9.2) def PLO 64 (6 Jul 2021)
Match Prediction: Academic - MU Sofia (MUS) to bounce back and qualify for the final.
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ELIMINATOR - MATCH 21 (ECS21.528)
BSCU - MU PLOVDIV (PLO) v BARBARIANS (BAR)
0600 GMT | 0800 CET | 1130 IST
PLO Last Five Matches: L L L W W (Avg Score For 96, Avg Score Against 95)
BAR Last Five Matches: W L L W L (Avg Score For 66, Avg Score Against 99)
BSCU - MU PLOVDIV (PLO)
Captain: Saim Hussain
Wicketkeeper: Saim Hussain
Projected Top Four: Saleem Qureshi,Sulaiman Ali, Saim Hussain, Aamir Nakhuda
Projected Opening Bowlers: Sulaiman Ali, Ali Hussain
Spin Options: Adithya Patnam
BSCU - MU PLOVDIV Key Players:
Saim Hussain, second leading run scorer last term with 376 runs and a best of 102 not out. Started off with a bang scoring an unbeaten 67 off just 21 balls. Has racked up a total of 194 runs in six innings at an SR of 190 and is the second highest run scorer in the tournament.
Sulaiman Ali, finally came good with the bat smashing 73 off 38 balls on Thursday. Continued his good form on Friday with an unbeaten 43 to take his side home vs PLE. Is currently third on the top run scorers in the tournament with 146 runs from seven games. Has also picked up SIX wickets.
Parth Acharya, will take the new cherry for PLO, has good pace and gets plenty of lateral movement, has scalped five wickets so far.
Faizan Rehman, the right arm medium pacer bagged a FOUR-fer on Friday against Pleven earning his first man of the match award.
BARBARIANS (BAR)
Captain: Dimo Nikolov
Wicketkeeper: Hristo Ivanov
Projected Top Four: Dimo Nikolov, Mohammad Fayyaz, Hristo Ivanov, Ivan Ivanov
Projected Opening Bowlers: Mohammad Fayaz, Dimo Nikolov
Spin Options: Nikolay Nankov
BARBARIANSKey Players:
Mohammad Fayaz, will bolster the Barbarian batting and bowling. Impressed for Indian Tuskers last term, top scoring with 289 runs. Top scorer for BAR scoring 103 runs in seven innings, with three wickets to his name as well.
Dimo Nikolov, current national player and top order batsman, missed ECS Sofia last September but will be helping his team stand tall this time around. Took his side to their maiden victory of the season with a blistering 10-ball 22. Has racked up 92 runs and picked up four wickets.
Nikolay Nankov, the right arm off-spinner has looked better than his teammates with the ball picking up FIVE wickets so far and is leading the wickets column for his team.
Hristo Ivanov, wicket-keeper batsman, top scorer for Barbarians last summer racking up 84 runs. Smashed an unbeaten 15 off just 6 balls on Friday to take his side to a thrilling victory against leaders INB.
After four consecutive losses, reigning champions Plovdiv tasted victory with a couple of good wins to end the group stages on a high. Likewise, Barbarians were able to outclass table toppers INB in the opening game on Friday to make it to the playoffs comfortably. The two sides shared a point each in their last meeting due to a rain washout. That being said, PLO did get an emphatic win over BAR in the first of the double header and will be favourites to repeat that performance in this eliminator.
Last time they met: ECS21.511 | Match Abandoned (5 Jul 2021)
Match Prediction: BSCU - MU Plovdiv (PLO) to progress with a win.
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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)
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 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.
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:
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.
