Our final event of another action-packed year, FanCode ECS Malta Encore provides an opportunity for ten leading Maltese teams to showcase their skills on the magnificent island of Malta, contesting 47 games over 12 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 three T10 matches on Day 12 of the 2021 FanCode ECS Malta Encore on Saturday 4 December.
With 44 exciting T10 games in the books, we have reached the business end of the competition on the beautiful island of Malta with two mouthwatering semi-finals on Saturday, followed by the Final with the much coveted trophy on the line.
Group A
MTD Mater Dei (5-1-2, NRR+1.468)
MSW Msida Warriors (4-2-2, NRR+0.695)
SOC Southern Crusaders (3-5, NRR-0.236)
BBL Bugibba Blasters (2-4-2, NRR-0.502)
OVR Overseas (2-4-2, NRR-1.168)
Group B
AUM American University of Malta (7-1, NRR+3.026)
AUK Atlas UTC Knights (5-2-1, NRR+2.032)
MAR Marsa (4-3-1, NRR+2.343)
RST Royal Strikers (2-6, NRR-2.985)
GOZ Gozo (1-7, NRR-3.504)
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FINAL - MATCH 47 (ECS21.922)
ATLAS UTC KNIGHTS (AUK) v MARSA (MAR)
1330 GMT | 1430 CET | 1900 IST
AUK Last Five Matches: L L W W W(Avg Score For 107, Avg Score Against 83)
MAR Last Five Matches: W W W W W (Avg Score For 98, Avg Score Against 79)
Official Betting Partner of the ECN Bet nowATLAS UTC KNIGHTS (AUK)
Captain: Sujesh Appu
Wicketkeeper: Avinash Dileep
Projected Top Four: Samuel Stanislaus, Manoj Panicker, Basil George, Avinash Dileep
Projected Opening Bowlers: Asif Sha, Justin Shaju
Spin Options: Samuel Stanislaus
ATLAS UTC KNIGHTS Key Players:
Basil George, star all-rounder, powerhouse of AUK with the bat, has the ability to smash all around the park. Has scored 168 runs and picked up SIX wickets in six games so far. Returned POTM in the first semi-final for his all-round performance.
Samuel Stanislaus, Knight's Mr Dependable, has been the leading run scorer for AUK in both the previous ECS editions. He can also roll his arm when needed. Top scorer in the tournament so far racking up 206 runs in eight innings including a 30-ball 51* vs Gozo. He has also picked up FOUR wickets.
Avinash Dileep, wicket keeper batter, third highest run scorer for AUK racking up 135 runs in nine innings.
Sujesh Appu, AUK skipper, has bowled brilliantly so far sticking to tight line and lengths. Top wicket taker for AUK scalping SIX wickets.
Justin Shaju, right arm pacer, joint leading wicket taker for AUK picking up SIX wickets with a best return of 2-2.
MARSA (MAR)
Captain: Haroon Mughal
Wicketkeeper: John Grima
Projected Top Four: Fanyan Mughal, Zeeshan Khan, Niraj Khanna, Nowell Khosla
Projected Opening Bowlers: Fazil Khan, Waseem Abbas
Spin Options: David Athwal, Haroon Mughal
MARSA Key Players:
Fanyan Mughal, right handed bat and left arm medium pacer, top scorer for MAR muscling 169 runs in nine innings. Has picked up SIX wickets as well.
Zeeshan Khan, one of the top players for Marsa, is fearless and loves to take on the new ball bowlers. Second highest run scorer for MAR racking up 142 runs in eight innings including a POTM effort of 51 off 29 vs Gozo on Thursday.
Haroon Mughal, right arm spinner, the skipper is leading from the front picking up EIGHT wickets in eight games with a best return of 3-8.
It is a rematch from the ECS Malta 2020 final. Atlas UTC Knights have enjoyed a good run in the tournament. After finishing second in Group B, AUK assumed a couple of dominant victories in the knock-outs and will fancy their chances having beaten Marsa earlier in the group stage.
On a six-match winning streak, previous winners Marsa look hot favourites to clinch their second ECS title. MAR won the semi-final in a Golden Ball thriller against group leaders AUM and will be high on confidence going into this finale.
Last time they met: ECS21.897 | AUK 98 def MAR 83 (27 Nov 2021)
Match Prediction: Atlas UTC Knights (AUK) to be crowned champions in Malta.
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1ST SEMI-FINAL - MATCH 45 (ECS21.920)
MATER DEI (MTD) v ATLAS UTC KNIGHTS (AUK)
0830 GMT | 0930 CET | 1400 IST
MTD Last Five Matches: NR NR W W NR (Avg Score For 95, Avg Score Against 80)
AUK Last Five Matches: W L L W W(Avg Score For 106, Avg Score Against 85)
Official Betting Partner of the ECN Bet nowMATER DEI (MTD)
Captain: Sam Aquilina
Wicketkeeper: Sam Aquilina
Projected Top Four: Cornelius Younus, Azeem Sathi, Muhammad Suleman, Michael Nazir
Projected Opening Bowlers: Rency Jacob, Edward Mahima
Spin Options: Michael Nazir, Atif Sharazy, Salman Khan
MATER DEI Key Players:
Cornelius Younus, left-handed opening batsman who likes to go after the bowlers from ball one. Highest scorer for MTD racking up 88 runs at an average of 29.33 and SR of 163.
Azeem Sathi, a destructive right handed batter, and fierce medium pace bowler, has looked in fine form scoring 86 runs in seven games. He has also picked up EIGHT wickets leading the wickets column for MTD. Returned figures of 4-11 vs RST
Michael Nazir, former national team player, decent batsman who times the ball very well. A crafty off-spinner who can deceive batsmen with his change in pace. Has bagged a couple of player of the match awards for his impactful performances with both bat and ball scoring a total of 65 runs and picking up SIX wickets.
Pintu Ghosh, the right arm medium pacer, joint second highest wicket taker for MTD picking up SIX wickets in five games including a match winning spell of 4-21 vs OVR.
ATLAS UTC KNIGHTS (AUK)
Captain: Sujesh Appu
Wicketkeeper: Avinash Dileep
Projected Top Four: Samuel Stanislaus, Manoj Panicker, Basil George, Avinash Dileep
Projected Opening Bowlers: Asif Sha, Justin Shaju
Spin Options: Samuel Stanislaus
ATLAS UTC KNIGHTS Key Players:
Basil George, star all-rounder, powerhouse of AUK with the bat, has the ability to smash all around the park. Has scored 137 runs and picked up FOUR wickets in five games so far.
Samuel Stanislaus, Knight's Mr Dependable, has been the leading run scorer for AUK in both the previous ECS editions. He can also roll his arm when needed. Top scorer in the tournament so far racking up 206 runs in eight innings including a 30-ball 51* vs Gozo. He has also picked up FOUR wickets.
Avinash Dileep, wicket keeper batter, third highest run scorer for AUK racking up 127 runs in eight innings.
Sujesh Appu, AUK skipper, has bowled brilliantly so far sticking to tight line and lengths. Top wicket taker for AUK scalping SIX wickets.
Justin Shaju, right arm pacer, joint leading wicket taker for AUK picking up SIX wickets with a best return of 2-2.
Mater Dei and Atlas UTC Knights lock horns for the first time in ECS in the all-important semi-final of the FanCode ECS Malta Encore. AUK secured a comfortable victory over SOC in the quarter-final while MTD progressed on finishing higher on the table after a rain washout. Both sides are matched equally and will fancy their chances of making it to the final.
Match Prediction: Atlas UTC Knights (MTD) to win a close contest and seal a place in the final.
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2ND SEMI-FINAL - MATCH 46 (ECS21.921)
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF MALTA (AUM) v MARSA (MAR)
1030 GMT | 1130 CET | 1600 IST
AUM Last Five Matches: W W L W NR (Avg Score For 105, Avg Score Against 74)
MAR Last Five Matches: W W W W W (Avg Score For 100, Avg Score Against 78)
Official Betting Partner of the ECN Bet nowAMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF MALTA (AUM)
Captain: Jit Patel
Wicketkeeper: Darshit Patankar
Projected Top Four: Darshit Patankar, Abhishek Prajapati, Jassi Singh, Saneesh Kumar
Projected Opening Bowlers: Jit Patel, Shubh Patel
Spin Options: Zoheb Malek, Abhishek Kuntala, Darshnik Gohil
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF MALTA Key Players:
Zoheb Malek, a valuable all-rounder, took AUM to a thrilling victory over MAR scoring a crucial 18 off 10 balls. He has scalped SEVEN wickets as well including best figures of 2-1 vs RST.
Darshit Patankar, the wicket-keeper batter is the third highest scorer for AUM racking up 143 runs in six innings.
Varun Prasath, the left-hander featured for the victorious Super Kings at FanCode ECS Malta 2021. Highest scorer for AUM amassing 156 runs in seven innings. He has also picked up EIGHT wickets.
Bikram Arora, Malta national team captain, another Super Kings player, second highest scorer for AUM scoring 149 runs in just three innings.
Jit Patel, the skipper is leading the wickets column for his side picking up 10 wickets in eight games at an ER of 6.07 and a best return of 2-4.
MARSA (MAR)
Captain: Haroon Mughal
Wicketkeeper: John Grima
Projected Top Four: Fanyan Mughal, Zeeshan Khan, Niraj Khanna, Nowell Khosla
Projected Opening Bowlers: Fazil Khan, Waseem Abbas
Spin Options: David Athwal, Haroon Mughal
MARSA Key Players:
Fanyan Mughal, right handed bat and left arm medium pacer, top scorer for MAR muscling 160 runs in eight innings. Has picked up FIVE wickets as well.
Zeeshan Khan, one of the top players for Marsa, is fearless and loves to take on the new ball bowlers. Second highest run scorer for MAR racking up 129 runs in seven innings including a POTM effort of 51 off 29 vs Gozo on Thursday.
Haroon Mughal, right arm spinner, the skipper is leading from the front picking up SIX wickets in seven games at an ER of 5.83 and a best return of 3-8.
After losing three games on the trot, Marsa turned things around nicely to win their next five games. With momentum on their side, MAR will be aiming to repeat their heroics from last year but it will not be easy against the in-form AUM side.
Last time they met: ECS21.903 | AUM 47(3.2) def MAR 61 on D/L Method (29 Nov 2021)
Match Prediction: American University of Malta (AUM) to trump Marsa for the third time and qualify for the final.
