28/06/2025
The Bengal Tigers Cricket Club's (BTCC) participation in the European Cricket Series (ECS) concluded following consecutive defeats in the knockout stages. Although the team demonstrated a strong performance during the group phase, they were unsuccessful in the first qualifier, thus missing the opportunity to advance directly to the final.
Subsequently, the team was granted a second chance in the playoff round but was unable to secure a victory, resulting in their elimination from the tournament. While the outcomes may not have met expectations, the team exhibited moments of exceptional performance and demonstrated resilience throughout the competition. Although the current campaign has concluded, the Bengal Tigers have made a notable impact and are expected to return with enhanced capabilities in future editions.
In the 1st Qualifier of the ECS Finland T10 on June 27, 2025, at Kerava, the BTCC Dark Knights faced Greater Helsinki Markhors. Despite a commendable effort, the BTCC Dark Knights were defeated. Batting first, the team achieved a score of 122/5 in 10 overs, with significant contributions from Shahed Alam (44 off 21) and Afzal Hossain (25 off 10).
Although our bowlers displayed determination, a strong performance by Atif Rasheed shifted the momentum in favor of the opposition. Atif Rasheed scored 56 off 18 (5 fours, 5 sixes), and Shahzad Shabbir contributed 47 off 24. The Markhors successfully pursued the target in 8.3 overs, winning by 6 wickets. Greater Helsinki Cricket Club Markhors performed effectively in all aspects of the game, limiting the Bengal Tigers Cricket Club Finland - BTCC to a score of 122.
Consequently, the team had the opportunity to compete in the 2nd qualifier. However, Hadley's Empire XI emerged victorious against the BTCC Dark Knights in the 2nd Qualifier of the ECS Finland T10 on June 27, 2025, at Kerava.Kerava National Cricket Ground.
Although BTCC Dark Knights showcased a commendable batting performance, they were unfortunately defeated in a high-scoring Qualifier 2 match against Hadley’s Empire XI.
BTCC, batting first, impressively scored 154/3 in 10 overs, thanks to dynamic innings from Afzal Hossain (43 off 16), Shahed Alam (41 off 20), and a spirited contribution from Jobaer Hossain Moon (36 off 15).
However, the bowlers encountered a strong response, as Hadley’s Empire successfully pursued the target in a mere 8.1 overs, achieving a score of 157/3, with notable performances from:
Nicholas Salonen, who delivered a remarkable knock of 65 off 19 (6×4, 6×6)
Aravind Mohan, contributing an explosive innings of 49* off 18
Despite the loss, the team demonstrated excellent resilience with their batting and concludes the tournament with a sense of pride.
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐲 𝐮𝐬. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝, 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛. 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲. 𝐖𝐞’𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫—𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬.
