AF Last Five Matches: W W L W W (Avg Score For 111, Avg Score Against 81)
MAL Last Five Matches: L L NR W L (Avg Score For 101, Avg Score Against 106)
ARIANA AKIF (AF)
Captain: Dharmender Singh
Wicketkeeper: Ihsan Shirzad
Projected Top Four: Ihsan Shirzad, Khaled Mohammad, Delawar Khan, Abdul Naser
Projected Opening Bowlers: Delawar Khan, Abdul Naser
Spin Option(s): Anudeep Gudimella, Dharmender Singh, Rahatullah Rahatullah
ARIANA AKIF Key Players:
Abdul Naser, hard hitting batsman, third highest run scorer in the tournament last term mustering 165 runs at an average of 55 and SR of 236. He hit the joint most sixes with 20 long hits over the ropes. Picked up FIVE wickets as well.
Khaled Mohammad, a talented top order batsman, racked up 101 runs last term at a SR of 171 at European Cricket Series Malmo 2020.
Delawar Khan, one of the top all-rounders in the AF side, bowls tight lines scalping FOUR wickets at an economy of 6.62 and scored 42 runs last term at European Cricket Series Malmo 2020.
MALMO (MAL)
Captain: Hammad Rafiq
Wicketkeeper: Bilal Zaigham
Projected Top Four: Bilal Zaigham, Hammad Rafiq, Sunny Sharma, Qaiser Munir
Projected Opening Bowlers: Saqlain Shah, Hassan Zaigham
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 2020 racking up 116 runs and also picked up four wickets.
Bilal Zaigham, solid top order batsman, technically correct, usually bats through the innings allowing others to bat around him and take charge of scoring quick runs.
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.
Reigning champions Ariana Akif will be strong favourites to get off to a winning start against Malmo. The best chance for MAL to rack up a win will come in the opening match as the two sides get used to the pitch and playing conditions.
Last time they met: AF 106 def MAL 74 (5 Aug 2020)
Match Prediction: Ariana Akif (AF) to win at a canter against Malmo.
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