Match Details
Malta will take on Belgium in the third T20I the 5-match series. The encounter will take place at the Marsa Sports Complex in Malta on Friday (July 9).
The game gets underway at 4:30 PM IST and fans can switch to European Cricket Network for the live action.
Preview
Malta put up a phenomenal show in the first game and walked away with a six-wicket triumph. Batting first, the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals and never really looked in the hunt. Muhammad Muneeb scored a 44-ball 30 as Belgium somehow managed to post 99 in their allotted 20 overs.
In reply, the home team didn’t make a great start with the top order not doing much. However, skipper Bikram Arora and Niraj Khanna joined forces and took Malta over the line in just 16.2 overs. While the hosts would like to continue their winning, Belgium would want to bounce back, as they did in the second game.
Probable Playing XI for MLT vs BEL
Malta
Heinrich Gericke, Samuel Stanislaus, Zeeshan Khan, Gopal Chaturvedi, Bikram Arora, Varun Thamotharam, Ashok Bishnoi, Washeem Abbas, Sujesh Appu, Niraj Khanna, Amar Sharma
Belgium
Sazzad Hosen, Muhammad Muneeb, Shaheryar Butt, Hadisullah Tarakhel, Wahidullah Usmani, Khalid Ahmadi, Saber Zakhil, Murid Ekrami, Ashiqullah Said, Nemish Mehta, Sheraz Sheikh
Captaincy Picks for MLT vs BEL
Bikram Arora
As mentioned above, skipper Bikram Arora shone for Malta in the opening clash and he won’t mind replicating his heroics. After the top order got rattled, he steadied the ship and didn’t allow Belgium to get under their skin. He remained unbeaten on 20 as Malta easily won the game. Not to forget, he can also contribute with the ball in hand.
Amar Sharma
Arora’s teammate Amar Sharma also had an impressive outing in the first game. The bowler was a miser in leaking runs and his ability to take regular wickets hurt Belgium. In total, he took two wickets in four overs, conceding mere 23 runs. Malta would definitely want Sharma to put up a similar or even better show.
Fan2Play Fantasy Cricket Tips
2-Player Team
Bikram Arora (C), Sazzad Hosen
3-Player Team
Amar Sharma (C), Bikram Arora, Wahidullah Usmani
4-Player Team
Samuel Stanislaus (C), Muhammad Muneeb, Amar Sharma, Varun Thamotharam
11-Player Team
Heinrich Gericke, Hadisullah Tarakhel, Wahidullah Usmani, Muhammad Muneeb, Zeeshan Khan, Sazzad Hosen, Bikram Arora (C), Ashok Bishnoi, Varun Thamotharam, Amar Sharma (VC), Niraj Khanna
