AUM Last Five Matches: W L L L NR (Avg Score For 88, Avg Score Against 101)
RST Last Five Matches: ON ECS DEBUT
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF MALTA (AUM)
Captain: Jit Patel
Wicketkeeper: Darshit Patankar
Projected Top Four: Amandeep Ralhan, Saneesh Kumar, Darshit Patankar, Zoheb Malek
Projected Opening Bowlers: Shubh Patel, Jit Patel
Spin Options: Tarak Shah, Zoheb Malek
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF MALTA Key Players:
Zoheb Malek impressed with 201 runs at the last edition, scoring nearly three times as many runs as any of his teammates. He also picked up four wickets.
Shubh Patel, the 25-year old fast bowler was leading wicket taker for AUM last season picking up eight wickets from seven matches.
Jit Patel, captain, bowling all-rounder, the left-handed medium pacer brings variety to the AUM bowling line-up, he picked up four wickets last season and racked up 55 runs from four innings.
Saneesh Kumar, a young, talented opening batsman, has the capability to turn things around after an average last season, scoring 48 runs from six innings.
Captain: Savio Thomas
Wicketkeeper: Sanish Mani
Projected Top Four: Sebin Thomas, Kushlesh Koppaka, Livin Varghese, Febin Poulose
Projected Opening Bowlers: Rubin James, Jaison Jerome
Spin Options: Sebin Thomas, Jithin Joy, Clinto Paul
ROYAL STRIKERS Key Players:
Livin Varghese, RHB, top scorer for Royal Strikers in 2020 summer league in Malta, will also bowl some medium pacers in the middle overs.
Febin Poulose, hitman of Royal Strikers, can hit big sixes with ease. The right hand batsman will add a lot of value in the RST middle order with his power hitting.
Rubin James, right arm fast bowler, a new ball specialist who will open the bowling for RST. He will be hoping to provide early breakthroughs.
Sebin Thomas is a powerful hitter of the ball, loves taking on the new ball bowlers and will be key in providing brisk starts for his team.
Royal Strikers make their ECS debut against American University of Malta who did not enjoy a good previous season finishing at the bottom of the standings with just a solitary win. AUM have put in the hard yards this time around and will be aiming for at least qualification for the knockout stages. Royal Strikers have shown potential in the Malta summer league, playing some entertaining cricket and this would appear to be a good opportunity to clinch their first ever ECS victory in this tough group.
Match Prediction: Royal Strikers (RST) to narrowly seal their first ever ECS win.