FanCode ECS Hungary 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 1 of the 2021 FanCode ECS Hungary on Monday 28 June.
Royal Tigers and Cobra boast previous experience in European Cricket Series Hungary last season and will definitely be the teams to beat at FanCode ECS Hungary. Cobra finished runners-up, pushing the Tigers all the way and will aim to go one better in Budapest this time around.
Budapest Blinders, Blinders Blizzards and United Csalad are all making their ECS debuts. While Budapest Blinders are a new team, BUB can boast a brilliant all-rounder in Steffan Gooch, holder of amazing ECS record bowling figures of 6-2 from last summer. Blinders Blizzards are the second string of Budapest Blinders, led by Sachin Chauhan who has been a fixture in the Hungarian cricket scene for the past six seasons.
United Csalad are another new side, but many of their squad featured for Dunabogdany CC and Baggy Blues last time around in Hungary, including the ultra-talented Vinoth Ravindran.
Teams
BLBBlinders Blizzards (0-0, NRR+0.000)
BUBBudapest Blinders (0-0, NRR+0.000)
COBCobra CC (0-0, NRR+0.000)
ROTRoyal Tigers (0-0, NRR+0.000)
UCB United Csalad (0-0, NRR+0.000)
__________________
MATCH 1 (ECS21.484)
BLINDERS BLIZZARDS (BLB) v BUDAPEST BLINDERS (BUB)
0700 GMT | 0900 CET | 1230 IST
MATCH 2 (ECS21.485)
BLINDERS BLIZZARDS (BLB) v BUDAPEST BLINDERS (BUB)
0900 GMT | 1100 CET | 1430 IST
BLB Last Five Matches: ON ECS DEBUT
BUB Last Five Matches: ON ECS DEBUT
BLINDERS BLIZZARDS (BLB)
Captain: Sachin Chauhan
Wicketkeeper: Sachin Chauhan
Projected Top Four: Rahul Goyal, Amjad Aziz, Sachin Chauhan, Zubair Muzaffar Bhat
Projected Opening Bowlers: Rahul Goyal, Omer Zahid
Spin Options: Rahul Goyal, Jassi Singh
BLINDERS BLIZZARDS Key Players:
Zubair Muzaffar Bhat, a decent right hand batsman, loves to play shots along the ground and is also a capable swing bowler.
Omer Zahid, hard-hitting batsman, loves to take the aerial route from ball one, will provide much needed impetus in the BLB middle order. He will also contribute with his medium pacers.
Rahul Goyal is in good form this season with both bat and ball andwill open the batting for the Blizzards. The 37-year old will also serve up some deceptive offies to trouble the opposition batsmen.
Jassi Singh brings variety to the BLB bowling lineup with his left-arm off-spin. Also a handy batsman down the order.
BUDAPEST BLINDERS (BUB)
Captain: Steffan Gooch
Wicketkeeper: Maaz Bhaiji
Projected Top Four: Steffan Gooch, Ali Yalmaz, Ali Farasat, Asanka Weligamage
Projected Opening Bowlers: Asanka Weligamage, Sandeep Mohandas
Spin Options: Danyal Akbar
BUDAPEST BLINDERS Key Players:
Steffan Gooch,ECS bowling record holder, scalped an unbelievable 6-2 against Baggy Blues last season, can also give it a whack with the bat. May also keep wicket if needed and not bowl so much.
Asanka Weligamage, the RH batsman is a National squad member, very aggressive, can hit huge 6's and also play measured, technical cricket. Medium fast bowler, usually opens bowling for his side.
Danyal Akbar, right arm leg spinner with a beautiful action, has different variations up his sleeve to keep batsmen guessing. He is also a handy batsman with silky technique.
Ali Yalmaz, hard hitting opening batsman and decent medium fast bowler. A utility cricketer, Yalmaz can adapt to any situation. Also a National squad member.
Budapest Blinders start off their campaign with a double header against their second string team Blinders Blizzards. These teams know each other inside and out. Expect two fiercely competitive matches amid some friendly banter between the two sides.
Match Prediction: Budapest Blinders (BUB) should win both contests against their club’s second-string.
__________________
MATCH 3 (ECS21.486)
ROYAL TIGERS (ROT) v UNITED CSALAD (UCB)
1100 GMT | 1300 CET | 1630 IST
MATCH 4 (ECS21.487)
ROYAL TIGERS (ROT) v UNITED CSALAD (UCB)
1300 GMT | 1500 CET | 1830 IST
ROT Last Five Matches: W W W W (Avg Score For 97, Avg Score Against 71)
UCB Last Five Matches: ON ECS DEBUT
ROYAL TIGERS (ROT)
Captain: Khaibar Deldar
Wicketkeeper: Sufiyan Mohammed
Projected Top Four: Zeeshan Khan, Stan Ahuja, Harsh Mandhyan, Khaibar Deldar
Projected Opening Bowlers: Habib Deldar, Harsh Mandhyan
Spin Options: Harsh Mandhyan, Stan Ahuja
ROYAL TIGERS Key Players:
Zeeshan Khan, MVP last summer, blasted a blistering 94 in the final with the title on the line. Arguably the best batsman in Hungary and his attacking approach really suits the T10 format. All-time club leading run scorer.
Khaibar Deldar, hard-hitting top order batsman who gives it a whack from ball one.Mustered an unbeaten 40 off 20 balls against Dunabogdany CC to bag a man of the match award.
Harsh Mandhyan, leading all-rounder who sets the tone with bat and ball. Racked up 42 runs in two innings and picked up three wickets as well.
Habib Deldar, right arm medium fast bowler who will take the new cherry for ROT, scalped eight wickets last season and was the only bowler to bowl TWO maiden overs in the tournament.
UNITED CSALAD (UCB)
Captain: Anil Pattanaik
Wicketkeeper: Anil Pattanaik
Projected Top Four: Vinoth Ravindran, Bobby Patel, Ashrith Darapureddy, Amit Parihar
Projected Opening Bowlers: Amit Parihar, Dheeraj Gaikwad
Spin Options: Ashrith Darapureddy
UNITED CSALAD Key Players:
Amit Parihar, boasts of previous ECS experience playing for Dunabogdany Cricket Club, impressed last summer scoring over 50 runs and picking up three wickets and sure to be a factor with bat and ball.
Ashrith Darapureddy, a classic top order batsman who is a huge addition to the UCB ranks. A genuine off break mystery spinner who can also take responsibility with the new ball.
Vinoth Ravindran, right-hand batter and medium-fast bowler. One of the best cricketers in Hungary. A true asset for the team.
Reigning champions Royal Tigers will be strong favourites against United Csalad who are making their ECS debut. With an array of talent in their line up, UCB will be keen to get off to a quick start on the opening day.
Match Prediction: Royal Tigers (ROT) to win two entertaining matches.
