FanCode ECS Romania provides an opportunity for five teams to showcase their skills, contesting 24 games over six 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 four T10 matches on Day 6 of the 2021 FanCode ECS Romania on Saturday 17 July.
With 20 exciting T10 games in the books, we have reached the business end of the competition with the FanCode ECS Romania trophy up for grabs on Saturday. Will the reigning champions ACCB retain their title or will we witness a new champion crowned in Romania?
Teams
CLJ Cluj (7-1, NRR+2.753)
ACCB ACCB (5-3, NRR+0.994)
UNI United (4-4, NRR-0.309)
BAN Baneasa (2-6, NRR-0.655)
BUG Bucharest Gladiators (2-6, NRR-2.693)
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FINAL - MATCH 24 (ECS21.555)
CLUJ (CLJ) v ACCB (ACCB)
1400 GMT | 1600 CET | 1930 IST
CLJ Last Five Matches: L W W W W (Avg Score For 154, Avg Score Against 124)
ACCB Last Five Matches: W W L L W (Avg Score For 132, Avg Score Against 151)
CLUJ (CLJ)
Captain: Arun Kumar
Wicketkeeper: Satwik Nadigotla
Projected Top Four: Taranjeet Singh, Satwik Nadigotla, Sivakumar Periyalwar, Vasu Saini
Projected Opening Bowlers: Gaurav Mishra, Nishant Devre
Spin Options: Sukhkaran Sahi, Taranjeet Singh
CLUJ Key Players:
Taranjeet Singh, all-time leading run scorer for CLJ, has mustered 421 runs in nine games at a SR of 268 and picked up 11 wickets as well. Scored 99 off just 27 balls vs ACCB. Has smashed 49 sixes - the most in the tournament.
Vasu Saini, current member of the national team, racked up 105 runs in four innings last term at an average of 105 and strike rate of 178. The all-rounder also scalped SEVEN wickets and scored 124 runs this time around.
Sivakumar Periyalwar, another current member of the national team, endured an ordinary campaign last season scoring 62 runs in four matches. The right-hander has plundered 170 runs in six innings at an SR of 223.
Gaurav Mishra, the medium pacer has picked up SEVEN wickets so far opening the bowling for his side. He has been bowling in good channels and will play a crucial role for CLJ in the knockouts on Saturday. Mustered an unbeaten 30 off 11 balls on Friday to take his side home against BUG in a thrilling last ball finish.
Satwik Nadigotla, the wicket-keeper batsman is making his ECS debut for Cluj, also part of the national squad and featured at ECL19 scoring 43 runs. He has scored 164 runs in six innings and bagged a man of the match award.
ACCB (ACCB)
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 also held the record for quickest ECS century. He can boast an international hundred in T20Is and is a key member of the national side. Started off this campaign with a magnificent 112* off 37 balls. Highest run scorer for ACCB with 323 runs in nine matches.
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 on Monday. Second highest run scorer for ACCB with 307 runs in eight innings including FOUR fifty plus scores. Has also picked up 10 wickets.
Anandha Karthikeyan, the right hander has played a vital role in the ACCB lineup steadying the ship and making sure wickets don’t tumble at both ends. He has racked up 159 runs in eight innings.
Saeed Ullah had a disappointing last season picking up just two wickets, but has turned things around this time leading the wickets column for ACCB with 10 scalps from 10 games. Smashed the last ball for six to secure a precious spot in the final.
Sami Ullah, right arm medium pacer, national team member, scalped SEVEN wickets in four games last summer with a best return of 3-23. Has scalped SEVEN wickets so far.
Sukhbinder Singh, captain, right arm off-spinner, impressed last term picking up FIVE wickets in four games at an ER of 9.71 - the least among his teammates. Scalped EIGHT wickets already this term.
These two teams finished top of the standings, sharing a win a piece in the group stages. As we saw in the qualifier earlier in the day, much will depend on their respective destructive top orders, boasting great talents such as Gohar Mahan and Taranjeet Singh, absolute run machines for their teams. Cluj won the earlier game when the two teams shared a host of new ECS records, but reigning champions ACCB will be buoyed by their dramatic last ball win over United in the second qualifier when Saeed Ullah smashed the last ball for six to secure a final spot.
Last time they met: ECS21.553 | CLJ 159(8.2) def ACCB 158 (17 Jul 2020)
Match Prediction: Cluj (CLJ) to win comfortably.
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QUALIFIER 2 - MATCH 23 (ECS21.554)
ACCB (ACCB) v UNITED (UNI)
1100 GMT | 1300 CET | 1630 IST
ACCB Last Five Matches: L W W L L (Avg Score For 126, Avg Score Against 149)
UNI Last Five Matches: W L L W W (Avg Score For 111, Avg Score Against 123)
ACCB (ACCB)
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 also held the record for quickest ECS century. He can boast an international hundred in T20Is and is a key member of the national side. Started off this campaign with a magnificent 112* off 37 balls. Highest run scorer for ACCB with 276 runs in eight matches.
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 on Monday. Second highest run scorer in the tournament with 274 runs in eight innings including FOUR fifty plus scores. Has also picked up EIGHT wickets.
Anandha Karthikeyan, the right hander has played a vital role in the ACCB lineup steadying the ship and making sure wickets don’t tumble at both ends. He has racked up 144 runs in seven innings.
Saeed Ullah had a disappointing last season picking up just two wickets, but has turned things around this time leading the wickets column for ACCB with 10 scalps from nine 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. Has scalped SIX wickets so far.
Sukhbinder Singh, captain, right arm off-spinner, impressed last term picking up FIVE wickets in four games at an ER of 9.71 - the least among his teammates. Scalped SEVEN wickets already this term.
UNITED (UNI)
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 188 runs and 14 wickets in nine games.
Rohit Kumar is the second highest run scorer for UNI racking up 168 runs. The left hander has mustered 13 sixes - most by any UNI batsman this term.
Stan Ahuja, recent winning experience for Royal Tigers in Hungary. 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 159 runs in seven games. Was man of the match in the Eliminator for his 17-ball 38.
Ali Hussain, recent addition to UNI, young and energetic bowling allrounder, bowls left arm orthodox spin, has impressed with 11 wickets from seven games with a best return of 4-21. Has also mustered 121 runs at a SR of 192!
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. Has scored 71 runs and picked up FOUR wickets this term.
Raj Kumar, one of the 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. Has scored 113 runs in seven games and scalped FIVE victims.
After losing to BAN yesterday, United have beaten them twice to progress into the second qualifier. UNI have not won three consecutive games at ECS and if they manage to do so against ACCB they will find themselves in the final for the second time. ACCB would be disappointed to lose the first qualifier after posting a huge total but would be aiming for a final appearance for the second time running.
Last time they met: ECS21.543 | ACCB 122(8.5) def UNI 121 (14 Jul2021)
Match Prediction: ACCB (ACCB) to secure a spot in the final.
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ELIMINATOR - MATCH 21 (ECS21.552)
UNITED (UNI) v BANEASA (BAN)
0600 GMT | 0800 CET | 1130 IST
UNI Last Five Matches: L W L L W (Avg Score For 105, Avg Score Against 128)
BAN Last Five Matches: L W L W L (Avg Score For 117, Avg Score Against 103)
UNITED (UNI)
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 181 runs and 12 wickets in eight games.
Rohit Kumar is the second highest run scorer for UNI racking up 150 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 121 runs in six games.
Ali Hussain, recent addition to UNI, young and energetic bowling allrounder, bowls left arm orthodox spin, has impressed with NINE wickets from six games with a best return of 4-21. Has also mustered 121 runs at a SR of 202!
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. Has scored 58 runs and picked up FOUR wickets this term.
Raj Kumar, one of the 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. Has scored 93 runs in six games and scalped FOUR victims.
BANEASA (BAN)
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, 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. Made an impact straightaway playing his first game of the season with a quickfire 80 off 32 balls which helped his team qualify for the knockouts.
Muhammad Mashal, the youngster has impressed with his hard hitting ability mustering 188 runs from six matches at a strike rate of 272. Hammered a 22-ball 80 vs UNI on Friday. Has also picked up FIVE wickets.
Parminder Mann, the all-rounder has racked up 97 runs at a healthy strike rate of 141 and has also scalped two wickets.
Abdul Shakoor, right handed middle order batsman. Vice captain of the national side. Has looked in good touch top scoring for his side with 177 runs in eight games.
Sheriyar Sohail, left hand opening batsman and wicket-keeper, loves playing cover drives. Hasn’t enjoyed much success yet with 70 runs so far, but is capable of turning things around.
United started strongly but have faded somewhat with only a 50 % winning record, while Baneasa scraped into the knockout stages winning two of their last four games, including one against United on Friday. This could go either way.
Last time they met: ECS21.549 | UNI 95(9.3) def BAN 92 (16 Jul 2021)
Match Prediction: United (UNI) to win a thrilling encounter.
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QUALIFIER 1 - MATCH 22 (ECS21.553)
CLUJ (CLJ) v ACCB (ACCB)
0800 GMT | 1000 CET | 1330 IST
CLJ Last Five Matches: W L W W W (Avg Score For 144, Avg Score Against 116)
ACCB Last Five Matches: L L W W L (Avg Score For 122, Avg Score Against 139)
CLUJ (CLJ)
Captain: Arun Kumar
Wicketkeeper: Satwik Nadigotla
Projected Top Four: Taranjeet Singh, Satwik Nadigotla, Sivakumar Periyalwar, Vasu Saini
Projected Opening Bowlers: Gaurav Mishra, Nishant Devre
Spin Options: Sukhkaran Sahi, Taranjeet Singh
CLUJ Key Players:
Taranjeet Singh, all-time leading run scorer for CLJ, has mustered 403 runs in eight games at a SR of 265 and picked up 10 wickets as well. Scored 99 off just 27 balls vs ACCB in the last game. Has smashed 46 sixes - the most in the tournament.
Vasu Saini, current member of the national team, racked up 105 runs in four innings last term at an average of 105 and strike rate of 178. The all-rounder also scalped SIX wickets and scored 88 runs this time around.
Sivakumar Periyalwar, another current member of the national team, endured an ordinary campaign last season scoring 62 runs in four matches. The right-hander has plundered 170 runs in six innings at an SR of 246.
Gaurav Mishra, the medium pacer has picked up SEVEN wickets so far opening the bowling for his side. He has been bowling in good channels and will play a crucial role for CLJ in the knockouts on Saturday.
Satwik Nadigotla, the wicket-keeper batsman is making his ECS debut for Cluj, also part of the national squad and featured at ECL19 scoring 43 runs. Has scored 112 runs in five innings and bagged a man of the match award.
ACCB (ACCB)
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 also held the record for quickest ECS century. He can boast an international hundred in T20Is and is a key member of the national side. Started off this campaign with a magnificent 112* off 37 balls. Second highest run scorer for ACCB with 220 runs in seven matches.
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 on Monday. Second highest run scorer in the tournament with 267 runs in seven innings including FOUR fifty plus scores. Has also picked up SEVEN wickets.
Anandha Karthikeyan, the right hander has played a vital role in the ACCB lineup steadying the ship and making sure wickets don’t tumble at both ends. He has racked up 126 runs in six innings at an average of 42.
Saeed Ullah had a disappointing last season picking up just two wickets, but has turned things around this time leading the wickets column for ACCB with 10 scalps from eight 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. Has scalped SIX wickets so far.
Sukhbinder Singh, captain, right arm off-spinner, impressed last term picking up FIVE wickets in four games at an ER of 9.71 - the least among his teammates. Scalped SIX wickets already this term.
These two teams finished top of the standings, sharing a win a piece in the group stages. Much will depend on their respective destructive top orders and great talents such as Gohar Mahan and Taranjeet Singh, run machines for their teams. Batting first and posting a total of 125+ should be enough to apply scoreboard pressure to secure a final spot and a nice break before the showdown for the trophy.
Last time they met: ECS21.547 | CLJ 193 def ACCB 109 (15 Jul 2021)
Match Prediction: Cluj (CLJ) to qualify for the final with an emphatic win.
