FanCode ECS Malta provides an opportunity for ten leading Maltese teams to showcase their skills on the magnificent island of Malta, contesting 48 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.
Formally known as HSBC and rebranded at the start of 2020.
Southern Crusaders are predominantly made up of players with a Sri Lankan background, based on the southern part of the beautiful island of Malta.
In Muhammad Bilal, Southern Crusaders have a ridiculously quick left-arm pace bowler who can create serious havoc when the mood takes him.
Southern Crusaders won six games at ECS Malta last term to finish second in the group stages, but came unstuck in the semi-finals to eventual champions Marsa.
Southern Crusaders will be looking to go one better this time around.
Captain: Michael Goonetilleke
Wicketkeeper: Gopal Thakur & Ishantha Kariyawasam
Projected Top Four: Ryan Ricky Bastiansz, Michael Goonetilleke, Zeeshan Yousaf, Gopal Thakur
Projected Opening Bowlers: Bilal Khan, Zeeshan Yousaf
Spin Options: Jojo Thomas, Ryan Ricky Bastiansz
KEY PLAYERS
Ryan Ricky Bastiansz - scores quickly, especially good off the back foot, mustered 175 runs including 15 towering sixes in the previous edition.
Gopal Thakur - go-to-man with the bat for SOC in ECS Malta 2020, leading run-scorer racking up 199 runs with a best of 54.
Eardley Chandiram - earned seven wickets with his slingy filth which the batsman feels inclined to knock into the next orbit.
JoJo Thomas - joint leading taker for SOC (with Zeeshan Yousaf) with eight victims at the 2020 staging.
Bilal Khan - decent left-armer who can give it a serious whack.
