Souther Crusaders (SOC) open their campaign against last season’s runners-up Atlas UTC Knights (AUK) in match 3 of the ECS T10 Malta 2021 at the Marsa Sports Complex on Monday, June 14.
SOC bowed out in the semifinals in 2020 and finished the group stages at the second position with six wins, just behind AUK. A strong side on paper and in terms of performance, the team is all set to conquer the group stages.
AUK were dealt a harsh blow in the 2020 edition when they were upsetted by Marsa in the finals. They finished the group stages unbeaten with seven wins but got stuck in the most important knockout match to fall agonisingly short of a much-deserved title.
SOC vs AUK Dream11 prediction
The contest appears to be quite an interesting one as it is difficult to choose one outright winner. However with the kind of past performances these teams have put up, one can back AUK to open their season with a win and extend their unbeaten run in the group stages from last year. SOC, on the other hand, might have to punch above their weight to ward off the AUK threat.
SOC vs AUK Dream11 team tips
Top tip: Best batsmen
Ryan Bastiansz is the man SOC bank upon when they want quick runs. The attacking left-hand batsman mustered 175 runs in the previous season that included 15 massive sixes. He is definitely an enticing pick for the fantasy team.
Samuel Stanislaus is the batting powerhouse for AUK. He hammered 336 runs in the previous edition and was the top-scorer for his side. He is also their best fielder and can prove to be the key in his side’s fortunes once again too.
Top tip: Best bowlers
Jojo Thomas was at his best with the ball last season for SOC. He was the joint-highest wicket-taker for his team with eight wickets and would be eager to have more scalps under his belt in this year’s edition.
Bose Paul has come extremely handy with his wicket-taking abilities for AUK. His nine wickets in 10 matches are a testament to the fact. With a best of 2/10 and an economy of 9.12, the medium pacer ticks most boxes required for a bowler to be a part of the fantasy teams.
Top tip: All-rounder and wicket-keeper
Zeeshan Yousaf is a great choice for the all-rounder slot in this match. Not only did he score 150 runs at a strike rate of 184.21, he also finished last season with eight wickets at an economy of just 7.42. He is absolutely a mouth-watering prospect for the fantasy gamers.
SOC wicket-keeper Gopal Thakur is a brilliant pick. He is extremely good behind the wickets apart from being the top-scorer for his team in the 2020 edition with 199 runs to his name.
SOC vs AUK full squads
Southern Crusaders: Aneel Shahid, Angelo Delardon, Michael Goonetilleke (captain), Azwan Kamaleen, Jojo Thomas, Lakshitha Senavirathna, Waseem Sajjad, Denasa Abeysinghe, Eardley Chandiram, Eranga Jayawardhana, Ezhaq Masih, Muhammad Bilal, Royal Butt, Thilan Perera, Zeeshan Yousaf, Gopal Thakur (wicket-keeper), Ishantha Kariyawasam (wicket-keeper), Ryan Bastiansz
Atlas UTC Knights: Akashlal Ramesan, Al Ameen Abdul, Ciril Mathew, Nithin Sunny, Samuel Stanislaus, Bose Paul, Jameel Muhammed, Justin Shaju, Nithin Babu, Asif Sha, Basil George, Eldhose Mathew, Manoj Salikumar, Sujesh Appu (captain), Vishnu Shaju, Ajay John (wicket-keeper), Avinash Dileep, Shahin Saddham
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Featured photo : Kern Ramlochan / AFP
