Match day two in Barcelona saw the introduction of teams from Group B to the event.
First into action from that section were Hira CC Sabadell and Falco CC. The latter are one of the more established teams in Cataluyna and have a strong winning history. Victory did not elude them today either as they comprehensively disposed of their Sabadell rivals.
Batting first Falco racked up the runs finishing on 134 for 4. Spanish international Awais Ahmed hit 79 off just 32 balls to score well over half of his teams total. When Hira went out to the crease they only had one player reach double figures (Bakhtair Khalid 10). Hira’s batting just fritted away in the hot Cataluyna sunshine. They finally finished their innings on 43 all out in the ninth over.
https://www.ecn.cricket/series/european-cricket-series-barcelona-2020-1732/scores-fixtures/scorecard/hira-cc-sabadell-vs-falco-cc-live-scores-hcsflz10132020198207
Match six of the tournament saw Hira playing again and this time they put in a much better batting performance. Bakhtair Khalid was promoted up the order and along with Anwar Ul Haq put on 58 for the first wicket. After that things were not so good, as Hira suffered another major batting collapse. Khalid finished on 58 as the Sabadell based club ended on 108 for 7.
Their opponents Jove Units struggled to keep up with the run chase, but finally overcame the required total on the last ball of their innings. They were indebted to the batting of Taqqi Ul Mazhar (31) and Abdul Rehman Ullah (27) for the close victory which left Hira winless from their first two games and with an uphill battle in the rest of the tournament.
https://www.ecn.cricket/series/european-cricket-series-barcelona-2020-1732/scores-fixtures/scorecard/joves-units-cc-vs-hira-cc-sabadell-live-scores-juchcs10132020198208
Match Three of the day pitted Cataluyna CC against Jove Units. Cataluyna showed why they are one of the favourites for the event by posting 115 for 4 in their ten overs. Muhammad Safdar hit 54 and the MAK attack (Muhammad Armghan Khan) hit 46 not out, as the 2019 ECL representatives showed their quality. Jove Units struggled to match the explosive batting of their opponents and ended the game on 85 with the loss of seven wickets. Taqqi Ul Mazhar was again amongst the runs (39) but he got little support from his team mates, so Jove had to settle for a win and a loss from their opening two games.
https://www.ecn.cricket/series/european-cricket-series-barcelona-2020-1732/scores-fixtures/scorecard/catalunya-cc-vs-joves-units-cc-live-scores-ctcjuc10132020198209
The ultimate match of the day saw Cataluyna CC claim their second victory, at the expense of the Men In Blue. Cataluyna CC once again got their preferred option to bat first, and posted four more runs than in their previous game to end on 119 for six. Yasir Ali looked in prime form as he struck 21 off just nine balls, but it was an unbeaten seventh wicket partnership of 42 in 16 balls between Saqib Latif (25 not out) and Ali Azanm (24 not out) that did the damage.
The Men in Blue batted bravely, and with spirit, but did not adapt to the T10 format as well as their oponents. They only lost two wickets but at the same time, they fell 40 runs shy of the margin needed. A tactical rethink is required for their next six matches if they are to be a major threat in the tournament.
https://www.ecn.cricket/series/european-cricket-series-barcelona-2020-1732/scores-fixtures/scorecard/men-in-blue-cc-vs-catalunya-cc-live-scores-mibctc10132020198210
Here is the action from Day Two
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBIPO4wLzcY
