SWU Last Five Matches: L L L L (Avg Score For 67, Avg Score Against 118)
GOZ Last Five Matches: L L (Avg Score For 29, Avg Score Against 172)
Captain: Anil Qadir
Wicketkeeper: Anil Qadir
Projected Top Four: Imran Ameer, Ajay Mazi, Atta Rabi Anil Qadir
Projected Opening Bowlers: Umar Khan, Bilal Khan
Spin Options: Imran Ameer
SWIEQI UNITED Key Players:
Anil Qadir, captain, can be a game changer with his six hitting abilities, racked up 38 runs from two matches with three fours and three sixes on Tuesday. Had a forgettable Thursday, scoring two ducks and will look to immediately bounce back.
Imran Ameer, experienced opening batsman, has played domestic cricket in Pakistan and will be aiming to make a mark on the grand stage of European Cricket, top scorer for SWU with 83 runs from four matches including a fifty. Also a good spinner and has chipped in with a wicket as well.
Bilal Khan, right-arm medium fast bowler, has good control over the ball, was leading wicket taker for his side last year in the Malta summer league. Has been economical with the ball picking up six wickets and is leading the wicket-taking charts for SWU, can also score quick runs down the order.
Atta Rabi, talented right-handed batsman, was top run scorer for Swieqi United in the Malta summer league last year.
Captain: Jerin Jacob
Wicketkeeper: Milton Devasia
Projected Top Four: Milton Devasia, Jerin Jacob, Ajeesh Antony, Senthil Raj
Projected Opening Bowlers: Renju Ravi, Shibil Palakkalappi
Spin Options: Milton Devasia, Jerin Jacob, Tanu Babu
GOZO Key Players:
Milton Devasia, a decent spinner capable of deceiving batsmen, picked up two wickets, also scored 17 runs in the second game on Thursday, top scoring for Gozo.
Sandeep Sasikumar, the right arm fast bowler was the most impressive GOZ bowler on debut. On a day when all his counterparts were being thrashed to all parts of the ground, he conceded at just SEVEN runs per over and claimed a deserved wicket as well.
Tanu Babu, clever leg-spinner, varies his pace nicely and keeps the batsmen guessing, bagged a wicket in his very first ball in ECS cricket.
These two winless sides appear to be the weakest in Group B. After being on the wrong side of a record breaking day, Gozo have to turn things around quickly, while Swieqi United will sense a decent opportunity to book a quarter-final place with a couple of wins.
Match Prediction: Swieqi United (SWU) to win narrowly.