MATCH 1 (ECS21.532) UNITED (UNI) v BUCHAREST GLADIATORS (BUG) 0600 GMT | 0800 CET | 1130 IST
UNI Last Five Matches: W W L W L (Avg Score For 127, Avg Score Against 131)
BUG Last Five Matches: ON ECS DEBUT
Captain: Ramesh Satheesan
Wicketkeeper: Rohit Kumar
Projected Top Four: Ramesh Satheesan, Rohit Kumar, Shantanu Vashisht, Ali Hussain
Projected Opening Bowlers: Shantanu Vashisht, Rajesh Kumar
Spin Options: Syed Ali Zain, Ali Hussain, Ramesh Satheesan
UNITED Key Players:
Ramesh Satheesan, the hard hitting opening batsman mustered 158 runs at a SR of 208 last summer and picked up SIX wickets. He recently broke Yuvraj Singh’s T20 International record of highest strike rate in an innings for a 50+ score.
Rajesh Kumar, one of top five bowlers in Romania. A genuine wicket taker, who can swing the new ball both ways and is excellent in the death overs with yorkers and slower balls. Scored 97 runs in four innings last summer and picked up FIVE wickets as well.
Aftab Kayani has been bowling well recently which got him a place in the national side, is in good wicket taking form, reliable death over bowler. He is committed in the field and has taken some excellent catches off late.
Shantanu Vashisht, one of the best bowlers in Romania. Generally economical, doesn’t always get a flurry of wickets, but often gets the best bats out. He will bat in the top four, is good at rotating strike and is an excellent fielder. Scored 74 runs and picked up a couple of wickets last term.
Captain: Cosmin Zăvoiu
Wicketkeeper: Imran Haider
Projected Top Four: Moiz Muhammad, Patras Masih, Imran Haider , Shalitha Prabath
Projected Opening Bowlers: Moiz Muhammad, Patras Masih
Spin Options: Pavel Florin, Cosmin Zăvoiu, Esanka Rumesh Priyadharshana, Regan Francis
BUCHAREST GLADIATORS Key Players:
Moiz Muhammad, played for United last term, he is one of the most electrifying opening batsman in Romania, was top scorer for UNI hammering 170 runs at a staggering strike rate of 274! The big hitting opener will be key for debutants BUG.
Pavel Florin, the Romanian superstar has the third best strike rate in international cricket for bowlers with at least 10 wickets, picking up 13 wickets in 19.3 overs. He was also the leading wicket taker for Romania in the recently concluded Sofia Twenty20 picking up seven wickets.
Imran Haider, one of the most senior cricketers in Romania with a brilliant cricketing mind,represented United last term scoring over 50 runs. His previous ECS experience will come in handy for newcomers BUG.
Patras Masih, a classy right handed middle order batsman, loves playing through the covers, is a fine pacer with a natural ability to swing the ball.
Cosmin Zăvoiu, captain and current national team member, played for United last term and will be looking to bring his experience into play for his new club where he is also the President. He is a decent batsman and holds the second best strike rate in an innings in international cricket when he picked up three wickets in an over against Turkey.
United will be strong favourites against newcomers Bucharest Gladiators, who include Romanian legend Pavel Florin. UNI finished runners-up last term and will be aiming to go one better this time around. These two encounters are hotly-anticipated and all the more spicy as United have lost a few key players to opponents BUG.
Match Prediction: United (UNI) to win the opening contest with in a close finish.
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