MATCH 17 (ECS21.548) UNITED (UNI) v BANEASA (BAN) 0600 GMT | 0800 CET | 1130 IST
UNI Last Five Matches: W L L W L (Avg Score For 115, Avg Score Against 115)
BAN Last Five Matches: L L L W L (Avg Score For 102, Avg Score Against 125)
Captain: Ramesh Satheesan
Wicketkeeper: Stan Ahuja
Projected Top Four: Ramesh Satheesan, Rohit Kumar, Stan Ahuja, Ali Hussain
Projected Opening Bowlers: Aftab Kayani, Raj 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. Mustered an unbeaten 88 in the opening game. Returned 5-3 in the second game bagging back-to-back MoMs on Monday. Top run scorer and wicket taker for UNI with 150 runs and EIGHT wickets in six games.
Rohit Kumar is the second highest run scorer for UNI racking up 140 runs. The left hander has mustered 11 sixes - most by any UNI batsman this term.
Stan Ahuja, recent winning experience for Royal Tigers in Hungary. Safe pair of hands behind the stumps and contributes valuable runs. Scored 236 runs in ECS Hungary recently, is an excellent finisher with the bat, big leg side hitter with stylish flicks, sweeps and midwicket slogs. Has racked up 69 runs including a good looking 39* in the first game on Tuesday.
Ali Hussain, recent addition to UNI, young and energetic bowling allrounder, bowls left arm orthodox spin, has impressed so far with SIX wickets from four games with a best return of 4-21. Has also mustered 66 runs at an SR of 200!
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 is good at rotating strike and is an excellent fielder. Scored 74 runs and picked up a couple of wickets last term. Has already scored 53 runs and picked up FOUR wickets this term.
Captain: Abdul Shakoor
Wicketkeeper: Sheriyar Sohail
Projected Top Four: Muhammad Mashal, Sheriyar Sohail, Mahesh Prasanna, Abdul Shakoor
Projected Opening Bowlers: Parminder Mann, Anik Ahmed
Spin Options: Mahesh Prasanna, Wasif Sharif
BANEASA Key Players:
Ijaz Hussain, captain and all-rounder who is also a member of the current national side. He has picked up eight T20I wickets and scored 84 runs. Had an average season at ECS Romania last year scoring 53 runs in three matches and picking up a couple of wickets. Hasn’t featured so far and will be looking to make a big impact on his season debut.
Muhammad Mashal, the youngster has impressed with his hard hitting ability mustering 90 runs from four matches at a strike rate of 220. Has also picked up two wickets.
Parminder Mann, the all-rounder has racked up 97 runs at a healthy strike rate of 145.
Abdul Shakoor, right handed middle order batsman, second highest run scorer for BAN last term racking up 56 runs in three games at a good strike rate of 193. Vice captain of the national side. Has looked in good touch top scoring for his side with 156 runs in six games.
Sheriyar Sohail, left hand opening batsman and wicket-keeper, loves playing cover drives. Hasn’t enjoyed much success yet with 50 runs so far, but is capable of turning things around.
After seven consecutive ECS losses, Baneasa managed to open their winning account against BUG on Thursday. But BAN will need to beat United at least once to have a sniff of securing a spot in the knockout stages. United will be refreshed after a day off on Thursday as well and will look to finish the group stages strongly.
Last time they met: UNI 130 def BAN 119 (12 Sep 2020)
Match Prediction: United (UNI) should win, but Baneasa might sneak a win if the United top order do not deliver.
Tune into the live action from Romania from Monday to Saturday from 0600 GMT * 0800 CEST * 1130 IST *
