The only sides with perfect records after their opening two games meet to kick off day 3 at the Dream11 European Cricket Series Alicante.
The only sides with perfect records after their opening two games meet to kick off day 3 at the Dream11 European Cricket Series Alicante. The all-conquering hosts and favourites Sporting Alfas have looked utterly supreme so far with Eddie Ballard making history by blasting the first century (off 31 balls) of the tournament. Madrid United will also have to contain Faran Afzal, who averaged 119 in all comps last season and has racked up blistering scores of 45 and an unbeaten 54 so far. Madrid’s will strive to make early inroads into the Sporting Alfas batting to retain a chance in this game.
Spain captain Christian Munoz-Mills has not enjoyed much opportunity to impress with the bat so far, but did bag two wickets in successive balls in his opening over. Munoz-Mills may enjoy an extended chance to impress with the bat on day three, along with 18-year-old all-round talent Jack Perman. Kamran Muhammad was the pick of the Sporting Alfas bowling on Tuesday with his left-arm pacers.
So far for Madrid United, skipper Qadar Nawaz, Robiul Khan and Abdul Hafeez Niazi have also made valuable all-round contributions. But Madrid United were part of history on Tuesday in an historic GOLDEN BALL finish after a tie against Levante. With things looking bleak on the chase, wicket-keeper Waqar Zafar refused to accept defeat, keeping his side in the match with some lusty blows. With 17 required off the last over, Waqar Zafar (41 off 16 balls) managed to reduce the equation down to three to win off the last ball. After a sloppy misfield, a two was mustered meaning the first-ever GOLDEN BALL in cricketing history in the event of a tie with scores level.
The new Dream11 European Cricket Series Alicante Golden Ball regulation means that in the event of a tie, the batting side stays at the crease and has to score two or more off a single delivery to force a win. In a historic moment for European Cricket, Waqar Zafar’s edge flew to the third man boundary to hand a tense victory to Madrid United, their second straight win after comfortably outthinking the Intellectuals earlier in the day.
Sporting Alfas will go into the game as favourites against a Madrid United side that finished as runner-up to them in a recent T10 regional tournament held at the same ground. It will be interesting to see how Ballard and co back up their batting heroics from the first two days. Madrid have nothing to lose, but will have to take early wickets against the hosts to stay competitive.
