European Cricket Network live broadcasts four T10 matches on Day 2 of the 2021 FanCode ECS Sweden, Malmo on Tuesday 3 August.
European Cricket Series Gothenburg 2020 champions Jonkoping enter the fray to face Helsingborg Royals, while Malmo seek a first win against one of the Group B favourites Ariana CC.
Group A
AFAriana AKIF (2-0, NRR+2.938)
ARIAriana CC (1-1, NRR+0.362)
HROHelsingborg Royals (1-1, NRR-0.362)
JKPJonkoping (0-0, NRR+0.000)
MALMalmo (0-2, NRR-2.938)
European Cricket Series Malmo 2020
European Cricket Series Gothenburg 2020
European Cricket Series Malmo 2021
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MATCH 5 (ECS21.608)
MALMO (MAL) v ARIANA CC (ARI)
0630 GMT | 0830 CET | 1200 IST
MATCH 6 (ECS21.609)
MALMO (MAL) v ARIANA CC (ARI)
0830 GMT | 1030 CET | 1400 IST
MAL Last Five Matches: NR W L L L (Avg Score For 91, Avg Score Against 96)
ARI Last Five Matches: W W L L W (Avg Score For 79, Avg Score Against 86)
MALMO (MAL)
Captain: Hammad Rafiq
Wicketkeeper: Nikhil Mathur
Projected Top Four: Sunny Sharma, Yarjan Mohammadi, Hammad Rafiq, Qaiser Munir
Projected Opening Bowlers: Saqlain Shah, Azim Chinwari
Spin Option(s): Hammad Rafiq, Yarjan Mohammadi
MALMO Key Players:
Hammad Rafiq, star all-rounder, attacking middle order batsman, has the ability to take spinners apart on his day. A wily and reliable off-spinner, he will look to make breakthroughs in the middle overs. He was top scorer for Malmo last term at European Cricket Series Malmo racking up 116 runs and also picked up four wickets. The all-rounder started well with four wickets in two games on Monday.
Azim Chinwari, the 16-year old pace bowler has good pace and control. Swings the new ball away from the right handers. Recently picked for the Swedish U19 National Team. Returned figures of 3-23 in the opening game vs AF.
Qaiser Munir, right arm fast bowler, usually bowls at the death, targeting the stumps. Is the biggest hitter in the team, can hit monster sixes for fun. Scalped two wickets on Monday.
ARIANA CC (ARI)
Captain: Nusratullah Sultan
Wicketkeeper: Nusratullah Sultan
Projected Top Four: Mahmood Babar, Bashir Ahmed, Nusratullah Sultan, Zamin Zazai
Projected Opening Bowlers: Atif Muhammad, Absar Khan
Spin Option(s): Dawood Shirzad, Mahmood Babar
ARIANA CC Key Players:
Nusratullah Sultan, captain, a solid top order batsman, amassed 155 runs in four innings at an average of 77.50 and SR of 207 including three man of the match performances at European Cricket Series Malmo 2020.
Bashir Ahmed, technically sound, racked up 120 runs in five innings with a best score of 56* off 28 balls vs Malmo at European Cricket Series Malmo 2020. Looked good with the bat scoring a crucial 21* in the second game on Monday.
Hamed Arabzai, joint top wicket taker last summer at European Cricket Series Malmo 2020 picking up EIGHT wickets with a best return of 3-8.
Yusuf Sahak, the all-rounder impressed on Monday top scoring for ARI with 24 runs and picking up three wickets.
Dawood Shirzad, the wily leg spinner impressed last term at European Cricket Series Malmo 2020 scalping SIX wickets in five games. Picked up four wickets with a best return of 3-9 on Monday.
Both these sides were in action on the opening day with Ariana sharing the spoils with Helsingborg Royals, while Malmo missed a great chance to beat AF in the opener on Monday and were soundly beaten in the next game, paying the price for that earlier missed opportunity.
Last time they met: ARI 138 def MAL 108 (5 Aug 2020)
Match Prediction: Ariana CC (ARI) to win both games, but Tuesday’s opener could be tight.
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MATCH 7 (ECS21.610)
JONKOPING (JKP) v HELSINGBORG ROYALS (HRO)
1030 GMT | 1230 CET | 1600 IST
MATCH 8 (ECS21.611)
JONKOPING (JKP) v HELSINGBORG ROYALS (HRO)
1230 GMT | 1430 CET | 1800 IST
JKP Last Five Matches: W W W W W (Avg Score For 93, Avg Score Against 68)
HRO Last Five Matches: L L L W L (Avg Score For 69, Avg Score Against 87)
JONKOPING (JKP)
Captain: Muhammad Ismail
Wicketkeeper: Bilal Munir
Projected Top Four: Riaz Khan, Sami Ibrahimkhil, Muhammad Ismail, Zabiullah Zadran
Projected Opening Bowlers: Zabiullah Zadran, Sahargul Shirzad
Spin Option(s): Muhammad Ismail, Sami Ibrahimkhil
JONKOPING Key Players:
Riaz Khan, a very talented opening batsman, racked up 138 runs from seven innings last summer at European Cricket Series Gothenburg 2020 and can destroy any bowling attack with his powerful hard-hitting.
Sami Ibrahimkhil, left handed opening batsman, has the ability to hit the ball out of the park, scored 64 runs in five innings at European Cricket Series Gothenburg 2020. Can also bowl some left-arm offies.
Zabiullah Zadran, right arm fast bowler, will open the bowling for JKP, can deliver at 140+ speed easily. Leading wicket taker at European Cricket Series Gothenburg 2020, picking up 10 wickets at an ER of just 5.60. Also a very talented middle-order batsman, capable of building an innings and scoring quick runs, scored 44 runs in three innings last season.
Sahargul Shirzad is a very economical and wicket-taking bowler with the ability to swing the ball. Scalped EIGHT wickets at an economy rate of 5.64 last term at European Cricket Series Gothenburg 2020. He is also a middle-order batsman who can add quick runs.
Bhavya Patel, right-hand medium-pace bowler who is generally one of the leading wicket-takers for JKP in all tournaments. He has good control and bowls in good channels. Joint second highest wicket taker for JKP last term at European Cricket Series Gothenburg 2020 with EIGHT wickets to his name.
HELSINGBORG ROYALS (HRO)
Captain: Madhan Prabu
Wicketkeeper: Madhan Prabu
Projected Top Four: Abinash Panda, Pramod Kompella, Prasanjit Behera, Madhan Prabu
Projected Opening Bowlers: Gour Sadashiv, Sachin Shetty
Spin Option(s): Rohit Saproo, Abinash Panda
HELSINGBORG ROYALS Key Players:
Abinash Panda, a talented opening batsman, capable of playing fast paced innings. Can bowl quick off spinners and is one of the best all-rounders in the HRO side. Top run scorer and wicket taker for HRO at European Cricket Series Malmo 2020 scoring 92 runs and picking up three wickets. Looked good in the first game scoring 21 off 18 balls.
Rohit Saproo, a tricky slow bowler, the angle and speed at which he bowls will make it tougher for batsmen. Useful middle order batter, can contribute vital runs. The most economical bowler for HRO on Monday conceding only at 5.25 rpo, also picking up three wickets with a best return of 2-9.
Madhan Prabu, captain, right hand middle order batsman, one of the best hitters in the HRO lineup with a career strike rate of over 140. Will be donning the keeping gloves this season, but can also bowl if needed. Finished top scorer for HRO on Monday racking up 30 runs in two innings.
Gour Sadashiv, fast bowler, can produce inswingers at decent speed, highest wicket taker for HRO last season and is generally economical. Top wicket taker for HRO on Monday picking up four scalps at an ER of 6.50.
Prasanjit Behera, a talented all-round cricketer, a good technical batsman, has the ability to bowl tight line and length with good swing. He is also a gun fielder. Returned man of the match for his all-round performance in the first ever victory for HRO, scoring a vital unbeaten 23 and a priceless wicket vs ARI.
Jonkoping were jumping for joy after winning European Cricket Series Gothenburg last season with 4-1-1 record in the group stages, before going onto win the tournament comfortably. JKP will be strong favourites, but HRO at least claimed their first-ever ECS victory after five attempts on Monday.
Match Prediction: Jonkoping (JKP) to win both, but the first game is likely to be close as JKP adjusts to the conditions.