Portugal vs Belgium Match Preview – Final, Mdina Cup T20I 2025

Date & Time: 1st June 2025, 09:00 GMT
Venue: Stars Arena Hofstade, Zemst, Belgium

Match Summary

Portugal and Belgium will lock horns in the final of the Mdina Cup T20I 2025, in a clash that promises high intensity and competitive cricket. The tournament has been a showcase of rising talent in international cricket, and both teams have played their part in delivering thrilling matches.

Portugal has been in scintillating form, winning all their preliminary matches convincingly. Their performances against Belgium and Malta, particularly the 5-wicket victory in their latest encounter, have been a testament to their dominance. On the other hand, Belgium will be aiming to rise to the occasion and break Portugal’s winning streak in the final.

Team Form

Portugal (POR)

Portugal has been nothing short of a powerhouse in this tournament. They have defeated Belgium twice and Malta on both occasions they met, with margins ranging from 5 wickets to 8 wickets. Their recent 54-run victory over Norway in April further underlines their consistency and depth in all departments.

• Recent Matches (Win/Loss): W W W W W
• Key Players to Watch: Sharn Gomes, Dhavalkumar Norotam, Jeremy Martins, Zaki Shah

Belgium (BEL)

Belgium has had a mixed tournament but has shown glimpses of their capability. They managed to win one of their matches against Portugal but have struggled to maintain consistency. Their recent results, especially against the strong Portuguese side, have been a challenge, but the final is a chance to showcase their true potential.

• Recent Matches (Win/Loss): L W L W
• Key Players to Watch: Sherry Butt, Khalid Ahmadi, Oliver Herrington, Hikmat Jabarkhail

Head-to-Head

In the four encounters between the two sides in the tournament, Portugal has emerged victorious in all, with two 5-wicket wins. This gives them a psychological edge, but Belgium will be eager to prove their mettle in the decider.

Pitch and Venue

Stars Arena Hofstade, Zemst is a relatively new venue in the T20I circuit but has already shown itself to be a batting-friendly surface. The average first-innings score is 140, while the second innings is 121, suggesting that chasing is not the easiest option. Pace bowlers have enjoyed more success, accounting for 83.87% of wickets, but spinners have also played a role.

Given the nature of the pitch, the team winning the toss may opt to bat first and set a formidable target. The last match at this venue saw a total of 207 runs scored, hinting at an aggressive brand of cricket.

Probable Playing XIs

Portugal:
Carlos Nunes (c), Dhavalkumar Norotam, Francoise Stoman, Hardeep Khuttan, Jalpesh Vijay, Jeremy Martins, Juan Henri, Miguel Machado, Sharn Gomes, Sherman Vaz, Zaki Shah

Belgium:
Abdul Muhammad, Ali Raza, Burhan Niaz, Hikmat Jabarkhail, Khalid Ahmadi, Muhammad Muneeb, Murid Ekrami, Oliver Herrington, Saber Zakhil, Sheraz Sheikh, Sherry Butt

Match Prediction

Portugal has been the standout team in the tournament, and their recent form suggests they are in excellent rhythm. Their all-round strength and consistency in both batting and bowling make them the clear favorites. However, Belgium will be motivated to end the final on a high, especially if their key players like Sherry Butt and Khalid Ahmadi deliver.

Prediction: Portugal to win by 5-8 wickets.

Fantasy Tips

• Captaincy Pick (Captain): Rajan Hashu (Portugal)
• Vice-Captaincy Pick (Vice-Captain): Umar Shantu (Portugal)
• Top Picks: Sharn Gomes, C Potgieter, Rajan Hashu, Zaki Shah, Umar Shantu
• Wicketkeeper: O Khel (Belgium)
• Must-Picks: S Gomes, C Potgieter, R Hashu, S Zakhil, Z Shah

Final Thoughts

The final promises to be a high-stakes encounter between two strong teams, with Portugal holding the upper hand due to their recent dominance. However, in cricket, nothing is ever certain, and Belgium will be looking to pull off a surprise. With a batting-friendly pitch and a passionate home crowd, the Stars Arena Hofstade is set to host a thrilling finale.

Don’t miss the action on 1st June 2025 at 09:00 GMT!
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