MATCH 8 (ECS21.539) ACCB (ACCB) v BUCHAREST GLADIATORS (BUG) 1200 GMT | 1400 CEST | 1730 IST
ACCB Last Five Matches: W W W W W (Avg Score For 150, Avg Score Against 113)
BUG Last Five Matches: L L (Avg Score For 82, Avg Score Against 138)
Captain: Sukhbinder Singh
Wicketkeeper: Asad Abbas
Projected Top Four: Gohar Manan, Anandha Karthikeyan, Abdul Asif, Asad Abbas
Projected Opening Bowlers: Sami Ullah, Sukhbinder Singh
Spin Options: Sukhbinder Singh
ACCBKey Players:
Gohar Manan, top scorer in the previous edition mustering 251 runs at a strike rate of 278! The opener also scored a brilliant 110* off just 35 balls vs CLJ. Until recently he held the record for quickest ECS century. He can also boast an international hundred in T20Is and is a key member of the national side. Started off the campaign with a magnificent 112* off 37 balls.
Abdul Asif, second highest run scorer for ACCB last term with 82 runs from four innings. Opened 2021 in style with a blistering 19-ball 79* and also picked up FOUR wickets in two games.
Sami Ullah, right arm medium pacer, national team member, scalped SEVEN wickets in four games last summer with a best return of 3-23. Returned with two wickets on Monday in two games.
Sukhbinder Singh, captain, right arm off-spinner, impressed last term picking up FIVE wickets in four games at an ER of 9.71 - least among his teammates. Scalped two wickets on Monday at an economy of just six.
Captain: Cosmin Zăvoiu
Wicketkeeper: Imran Haider
Projected Top Four: Moiz Muhammad, Shalitha Prabath, Shajeel Muhammad, Imran Haider
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. Mustered 57 runs in two games at an SR of 248 including an 18-ball 44 against his former club United.
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. His economy rate was rather high on Monday, but he did pick up FOUR wickets in two games.
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. Scored 36 runs at an SR of 200 and picked up a wicket as well.
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.
Reigning champions ACCB looked mightily impressive on the opening day and have some serious firepower in their ranks again. BUG could not cope with United on Monday and look set for a similar struggle here.
Match Prediction: ACCB (ACCB) to romp to four consecutive victories.
Tune into the live action from Romania from Monday to Saturday from 0600 GMT * 0800 CEST * 1130 IST *
