Malo win their seventh ECN title solidifying their dominance in Portuguese cricket.
The ECS Portugal event concluded with a riveting showdown between Malo and Gamblers SC, reminiscent of the 2023 ECSN Final. In an exhilarating encounter that went down to the wire, Malo emerged victorious, clinching their seventh ECN title in Portugal.
Throughout the tournament, a staggering 17,294 runs were scored, accompanied by 791 wickets, 1,268 fours, and 1,286 sixes across 98 captivating matches. However, it was the final clash that truly encapsulated the essence of the competition.
Batting first, Gamblers SC appeared poised for a formidable total, but an exceptional final over from Shamsher Singh, yielding five wickets including a hat-trick, limited them to 146 runs. In response, Malo faced an early setback, losing a wicket on the opening ball. Yet, a resilient partnership between Amandeep Singh and Najam Shahzad provided hope. Despite intermittent setbacks, Malo found themselves in a tense position, requiring 32 runs off the last two overs.
Amidst the intense battle for supremacy, Amir Zaib emerged as the hero, leveling the game with a six off the final ball to take the game into Golden Ball. He exhibited nerves of steel, smashing a crucial six to secure Malo's victory on Golden Ball.
Amir Zaib's stellar performance throughout the tournament, amassing 515 runs, including a century, earned him the title of MVP. Additionally, teammate Adnan Gondal distinguished himself as the leading wicket-taker with 18 scalps.
Malo's triumph further solidified their dominance in Portuguese cricket, underscoring their status as a formidable force in European cricket.
Here are some snapshots from ECS Portugal, 2024:
