European Cricket Network live broadcasts five T10 matches on Day 10 of the FanCode ESC, Barcelona on Friday 19 February. Tune into the live action from 0730 GMT | 0830 CET | 1300 IST from the Montjuïc Cricket Ground in Barcelona, Spain.
The second week of European Cricket Series action comes to a close with Minhaj and Raval Sporting battling it out for top spot in Group C. Newcomers Kharian have caught the eye on debut, including a fantastic win over previously unbeaten Minhaj. Bangladesh Kings and Barcelona Gladiators have a win apiece, while Skyways are still desperately searching for that elusive first win.
MIN Minhaj (3-1, NRR+4.500)
RAS Raval Sporting (3-1, NRR+0.128)
KHA Kharian (2-1, NRR-0.764)
BAG Barcelona Gladiators (1-2, NRR-0.033)
BAK Bangladesh Kings (1-1, NRR-1.004)
SKY Skyways (0-4, NRR-3.760)
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MATCH 46 (ECS21.046)
KHARIAN (KHA) v BANGLADESH KINGS (BAK)
0730 GMT | 0830 CET | 1300 IST
KHA Last Five Matches: W L W (Avg Score For 120, Avg Score Against 123)
BAK Last Five Matches: L L W L W (Avg Score For 110, Avg Score Against 100)
KHARIAN (KHA)
Captain: Adeel Ahmed
Wicketkeeper: Muhammad Zarar
Projected Top Four: Qaiser Zulfiqar, Adil Iqbal, Muhammad Umar Waqas, Adeel Ahmed
Projected Opening Bowlers: Adeel Ahmed, Junaid Ali
Spin Options: Jahanzaib Asghar
KHARIAN Key Players:
Adeel Ahmed, captain, smashed an unbeaten 68 off 30 balls to take his side to a total of 149 which proved just enough to see off Minhaj. His knock included six maximos.
Adil Iqbal returned figures of 3-3 against RAS when the scoring rate was 12.5 rpo. Scores his runs at a SR of over 215!
Qaiser Zulfiqar, reliable opening batsman who can be relied on to provide solid starts. Has scored 71 runs from three innings at a staggering strike rate of 263.
Danish Abdullah, tall, bulky all-rounder, gets going from ball one, has only played 16 balls for his 41 runs consisting of five MONSTROUS sixes.
BANGLADESH KINGS (BAK)
Captain: Moshiur Rahman
Wicketkeeper: Muhammad Masood
Projected Top Four: Shakil Mia, Muhammad Masood, Sofiqul Islam, Saqib Muhammad
Projected Opening Bowlers: Sofiqul Islam, Moshiur Rahman
Spin Options: Saqib Muhammad, Hussain Aminul
BANGLADESH KINGS Key Players:
Muhammad Masood crafted a classy 56 off 36 balls in the first game against Minhaj.
Sofiqul Islam, leading all-rounder, looked in good touch with the bat, needs to fire with the ball.
Moshiur Rahman, bowled well on the opening day, was rewarded with three wickets against Skyways.
After winning a final ball thriller against group favourites Minhaj, Kharian will be full of confidence and aim to start the day on a bright note.
Match Prediction: KHARIAN (KHA) to start the day with a thumping win over Bangladesh Kings.
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MATCH 47 (ECS21.047)
KHARIAN (KHA) v SKYWAYS (SKY)
0930 GMT | 1030 CET | 1500 IST
KHA Last Five Matches: W L W (Avg Score For 120, Avg Score Against 123)
SKY Last Five Matches: L L L L (Avg Score For 81, Avg Score Against 116)
KHARIAN (KHA)
Captain: Adeel Ahmed
Wicketkeeper: Muhammad Zarar
Projected Top Four: Qaiser Zulfiqar, Adil Iqbal, Muhammad Umar Waqas, Adeel Ahmed
Projected Opening Bowlers: Adeel Ahmed, Junaid Ali
Spin Options: Jahanzaib Asghar
KHARIAN Key Players:
Adeel Ahmed, captain, smashed an unbeaten 68 off 30 balls to take his side to a total of 149 which proved just enough to see off Minhaj. His knock included six maximos.
Adil Iqbal returned figures of 3-3 against RAS when the scoring rate was 12.5 rpo. Scores his runs at a SR of over 215!
Qaiser Zulfiqar, reliable opening batsman who can be relied on to provide solid starts. Has scored 71 runs from three innings at a staggering strike rate of 263.
Danish Abdullah, tall, bulky all-rounder, gets going from ball one, has only played 16 balls for his 41 runs consisting of five MONSTROUS sixes.
SKYWAYS (SKY)
Captain: Adeel Shahzad
Wicketkeeper: Sharoon Bashir
Projected Top Four: Sharoon Bashir, Hamad Khalid, Adeel Arif, Umer Hayat
Projected Opening Bowlers: Adeel Shahzad, Adeel Arif
Spin Options: Umer Hayat
SKYWAYS Key Players:
Sharoon Bashir is the leading run-scorer for Skyways with 68 runs from four matches.
Adeel Shahzad, captain,has 67 runs to his name including five sixes, the most by any SKY player.
Adeel Arif has picked up five wickets from four matches and is top wicket taker for Skyways.
Newcomers Skyways are still searching for their first victory after losing all four games. Will they rise from the ashes to clinch a memorable win or sink deeper with five straight losses?
Match Prediction: KHARIAN (KHA) to register their third straight win.
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MATCH 48 (ECS21.048)
BANGLADESH KINGS (BAK) v BARCELONA GLADIATORS (BAG)
1130 GMT | 1230 CET | 1700 IST
BAK Last Five Matches: L L W L W (Avg Score For 110, Avg Score Against 100)
BAG Last Five Matches: L L W (Avg Score For 110, Avg Score Against 112)
BANGLADESH KINGS (BAK)
Captain: Moshiur Rahman
Wicketkeeper: Muhammad Masood
Projected Top Four: Shakil Mia, Muhammad Masood, Sofiqul Islam, Saqib Muhammad
Projected Opening Bowlers: Sofiqul Islam, Moshiur Rahman
Spin Options: Saqib Muhammad, Hussain Aminul
BANGLADESH KINGS Key Players:
Muhammad Masood crafted a classy 56 off 36 balls in the first game against Minhaj.
Sofiqul Islam, leading all-rounder, looked in good touch with the bat, needs to fire with the ball.
Moshiur Rahman, bowled well on the opening day, was rewarded with three wickets against Skyways.
BARCELONA GLADIATORS (BAG)
Captain: Babar Basharat
Wicketkeeper: Shahid Nazir
Projected Top Four: Shahid Nazir, Arsalan Muhammad, Tanzeer ur Rehman, Zahid Akbar
Projected Opening Bowlers: Ali Raza, Muhammad Umar
Spin Options: Zahid Akbar
BARCELONA GLADIATORS Key Players:
Shahid Nazir hit form with a nonchalant 26-ball 69 including eight HUGE maximos!
Arsalan Muhammad, promising young batsman, has scored 53 runs from three matches.
Babar Basharat, captain, all rounder, handy middle order batsman, chips in with some economical overs.
After losing two games, Barcelona Gladiators managed to register their first ECS win against a struggling Skyways side. BAG will be looking to carry on the momentum with a strong all-round performance to see off the Kings.
Match Prediction: BARCELONA GLADIATORS (BAG) to come out victorious in a closely contested game.
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MATCH 49 (ECS21.049)
RAVAL SPORTING (RAS) v BANGLADESH KINGS (BAK)
1330 GMT | 1430 CET | 1900 IST
RAS Last Five Matches: W L W W W (Avg Score For 98, Avg Score Against 98)
BAK Last Five Matches: L L W L W (Avg Score For 110, Avg Score Against 100)
RAVAL SPORTING (RAS)
Captain: Karan Datta
Wicketkeeper: Kishitij Patel
Projected Top Four: Kishitij Patel, Karan Datta, Davinder Singh, Manish Manwani
Projected Opening Bowlers: Manish Manwani, Sonu Jangra
Spin Options: Karan Datta, Gaurang Mahyavanshi
RAVAL SPORTING Key Players:
Gurwinder Sidhu is in red hot form as plundered 69 off just 25 balls including seven sixes and four fours. He might bat up the order.
Karan Datta, captain, has been consistent with the bat providing RAS with good starts.
Sonu Jangra bagged two man of the match awards for his scintillating bowling effort. He is now the leading wicket taker (9) with a best of 4-16.
Gaurang Mahyavanshi, talented left arm off spinner, has wreaked havoc with the ball scalping eight wickets from four games.
BANGLADESH KINGS (BAK)
Captain: Moshiur Rahman
Wicketkeeper: Muhammad Masood
Projected Top Four: Shakil Mia, Muhammad Masood, Sofiqul Islam, Saqib Muhammad
Projected Opening Bowlers: Sofiqul Islam, Moshiur Rahman
Spin Options: Saqib Muhammad, Hussain Aminul
BANGLADESH KINGS Key Players:
Muhammad Masood crafted a classy 56 off 36 balls in the first game against Minhaj.
Sofiqul Islam, leading all-rounder, looked in good touch with the bat, needs to fire with the ball. He picked up 2-8 vs RAS in their last encounter.
Moshiur Rahman, bowled well on the opening day, was rewarded with three wickets against Skyways.
Raval Sporting have hit form at the right time. With three consecutive wins, RAS are handily placed, only behind group leaders Minhaj on NRR. A win here keeps RAS in the hunt for top spot and a place at Finals day.
Last time they met: RAS 94 def BAK 91 (19 Nov 2020)
Match Prediction: In-form RAVAL SPORTING (RAS) can overcome a potentially weary BAK side.
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MATCH 50 (ECS21.050)
MINHAJ (MIN) v BARCELONA GLADIATORS (BAG)
1530 GMT | 1630 CET | 2100 IST
MIN Last Five Matches: L W W L W (Avg Score For 128, Avg Score Against 104)
BAG Last Five Matches: L L W (Avg Score For 110, Avg Score Against 112)
MINHAJ (MIN)
Captain: Amar Shahzad
Wicketkeeper: Awais Ahmed
Projected Top Four: Awais Ahmed, Jafar Iqbal, Usman Mushtaq, Asjad Butt
Projected Opening Bowlers: Amar Shahzad, Khalid Mehmood
Spin Options: Ameer Hamzah
MINHAJ Key Players:
Asjad Butt, star batsman, has scored three fifties from four matches racking up 248 runs at an average of 124 and a strike rate of 243!
Awais Ahmed, Spanish international, wicket keeper batsman has mustered 99 runs at a strike rate of over 175.
Zaka Ullah returned match winning figures of 4-14 after a disappointing first game.
BARCELONA GLADIATORS (BAG)
Captain: Babar Basharat
Wicketkeeper: Shahid Nazir
Projected Top Four: Shahid Nazir, Arsalan Muhammad, Tanzeer ur Rehman, Zahid Akbar
Projected Opening Bowlers: Ali Raza, Muhammad Umar
Spin Options: Zahid Akbar
BARCELONA GLADIATORS Key Players:
Shahid Nazir hit form with a nonchalant 26-ball 69 including eight HUGE maximos!
Arsalan Muhammad, promising young batsman, has scored 53 runs from three matches.
Babar Basharat, captain, all rounder, handy middle order batsman, chips in with some economical overs.
With three wins from four matches, Minhaj lead Group C by virtue of a staggering NRR of +4.500. Having almost chased down a target of 150, MIN are a dangerous outfit at this ECS.
Match Prediction: MINHAJ (MIN) to return to the top of the Group C standings with a comfortable win.
