ARI Last Five Matches: W NR W W L (Avg Score For 97, Avg Score Against 100)
HRO Last Five Matches: L L L L (Avg Score For 70, Avg Score Against 94)
Captain: Nusratullah Sultan
Wicketkeeper: Qader Khan
Projected Top Four: Bashir Ahmed, Zamin Zazai, Nusratullah Sultan, Qader Khan
Projected Opening Bowlers: Absar Khan, Zamin Zazai
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 atEuropean 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 atEuropean Cricket Series Malmo 2020.
Dawood Shirzad, the wily leg spinner impressed last termatEuropean Cricket Series Malmo 2020 scalping SIX wickets in five games.
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 atEuropean Cricket Series Malmo 2020 scoring 92 runs and picking up three wickets.
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.
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.
Gour Sadashiv, fast bowler, can produce inswingers at decent speed, highest wicket taker for HRO last season and is generally economical.
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.
Ariana will fancy their chances of doing the double over the Royals. As in the opener, HRO best chance of claiming a win will come in the first meeting, as the two sides acclimatise themselves with the conditions. Winless in ECS so far, HRO will be pushing hard to claim that elusive first win.
Match Prediction: Ariana CC (ARI) to start off with a comfortable win.
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