Cricket Prediction | CRT vs CYP | Cyprus tour of Croatia 2025 | 1st T20I | Aug 07 – Who Writes the First Chapter in This New Rivalry?

CRT vs CYP Match Analysis

The first T20 International between Croatia and Cyprus will take place on August 7, 2025, in Zagreb. The match is scheduled for the evening session, promising an exciting contest under favorable weather conditions. 

Croatia comes into this game with a balanced squad featuring a mix of experienced and young players. Their recent performances have shown promise, especially with their batting lineup showing potential for explosive innings. 

On the other hand, Cyprus boasts a well-rounded team led by a proactive captain, with a batting unit capable of accelerating at crucial moments. Their bowling attack is diverse and has shown resilience in recent matches, especially in tight contests. 

Croatia vs Cyprus Team Preview & Squads

Croatia

CRT campaign is anchored by the composed and steady leadership of Alen Magdalenic. His leadership has been instrumental in guiding a young squad through challenging matches. Magdalenic’s experience at the top of the order also provides stability and confidence to the team.

CRT batting depth is highlighted by versatile players like Henry Beresford-Peirse and Oliver Tilley, who can anchor innings or accelerate as required. The presence of aggressive batsmen such as Saghar Manzoor adds firepower to the middle order. 

The bowling unit is led by experienced pacers like Nikola Davidovic and Zach Vukusic, who can swing the ball in favorable conditions. Spin options include Anthony Razmilic and Hariprasad Sathedeevi, providing variation in the attack. 

In their last T20I against Spain on August 4, 2024, Croatia faced a heavy defeat, managing only 69 runs while chasing a massive 231. Spain dominated the game, winning by 161 runs in a one-sided encounter. This loss exposed some weaknesses in Croatia’s batting and bowling strategy. 

Croatia Squads

Croatia

Alen Magdalenic, Henry Beresford-Peirse, Oliver Tilley, Saghar Manzoor, Anthony Razmilic, Charles Bevin, Hariprasad Sathedeevi, John Vujnovich, Nikola Davidovic, Zach Vukusic, Sam Houghton (wk), Alfred Beresford-Peirse, Kresimir Kekez, Scott Bevin.

Cyprus

Scott Burdekin leads CYP with a blend of aggression and tactical awareness. His leadership has helped the team develop a strong competitive edge. Give him a bat or the ball, and he’ll still find a way to rewrite the match script.

Cyprus’ batting order includes dependable players like Alexander Senn and Roshan Siriwardena, who provide a steady foundation. The middle order, with players such as Adam Senn and Sachithra Tharanga (wk), is capable of building or accelerating innings as required. 

CYP bowling attack is spearheaded by experienced pacers like Mangala Gunasekara and Scott Austin. The team also has a good spin option in Sachithra Tharanga and Roman Mazumder, which can be effective on slower pitches. T

In a nail-biting scrap for pride, Cyprus edged past Malta, turning six runs into a mountain no Maltese climber could scale. Posting a modest total of 134, they managed to defend it successfully thanks to disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. 

Cyprus Squads

Cyprus

Alexander Senn, Roshan Siriwardena, Scott Austin, Adam Senn, Mangala Gunasekara, Scott Burdekin (C), Roman Mazumder, Sachithra Tharanga (wk), Aminul Islam, Hardeep Singh, Kamal Raiz, Lovedeep Singh, Waqar Ali.

CRT vs CYP Outfield Report

Zagreb’s surface is shaping up to be a fair one, offering something for everyone. Seamers should find early movement, but as the game unfolds, spinners might extract turn. Batsmen must be quick to adapt to occasional inconsistencies in bounce and pace.

Weather conditions on match day should be pleasant with temperatures hovering around 26°C. Skies are expected to be clear, with minimal chances of rain, ensuring an uninterrupted game. Light winds may offer some swing to the bowlers early on.

Historically, the highest team score at this venue in T20Is is around 180-190 runs, while the lowest totals have dipped below 100. If batting first, teams can aim for 160+ to put pressure on the opposition. Conversely, chasing sides will look to pace their innings carefully to avoid collapse.

Croatia vs Cyprus Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

This will be the first official T20I encounter between Croatia and Cyprus, so there are no prior head-to-head statistics. 

CRT vs CYP Prediction

According to cricket analysts Cyprus have a 52% chance of Winning.