Cricket Prediction | CRT vs CYP | Cyprus tour of Croatia 2025 | 2nd T20I | Aug 07 – Can the Underdogs Shock the Cricketing World?

CRT vs CYP Match Analysis

The 2nd T20I between Croatia and Cyprus will be held at the Zagreb cricket ground on August 7, 2025. The match is expected to start at 10:30 AM local time and promises to be an exciting contest between two emerging European sides. 

Croatia has been striving to find stability in its T20I performances, showing occasional brilliance but lacking consistency. Their batting has been fragile under pressure, especially in recent outings. 

Cyprus, on the other hand, brings a more balanced unit into this contest, boasting both experienced all-rounders and a few aggressive top-order batters. They have shown grit in close encounters, most recently edging out Malta in a tight finish. 

Croatia vs Cyprus Team Preview & Squads

Croatia

Charles Bevin leads the Croatian side and brings an analytical mindset to the field. A stabilizer with the willow and a surprise package with the seam—he plugs gaps others don’t even see. Under his leadership, Croatia hopes to turn around their recent slump in form.

CRT batting revolves around players like Alen Magdalenic, Oliver Tilley, and Henry Beresford-Peirse, but their top order has struggled against quality bowling. Sam Houghton adds value in the lower-middle order with his ability to accelerate. 

The CRT bowling unit has a blend of pace and spin, with Saghar Manzoor and Hariprasad Sathedeevi leading the attack. Kresimir Kekez and Anthony Razmilic offer supporting roles but have lacked consistency. 

Under the Zagreb sun, Croatia’s innings unravelled like a poorly wrapped burrito—messy and quickly devoured by Spain. Spain posted a mammoth 230/4, capitalizing on Croatia’s weak bowling. In response, Croatia folded for just 69 in 17.4 overs, succumbing to scoreboard pressure. The 161-run loss exposed major concerns in both departments of the game.

Croatia Squad

Croatia Squad

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 the Cypriot team with calm authority and valuable all-round skills. His leadership has brought a tactical edge to the side, especially in pressure situations. 

The presence of seasoned campaigners like Roshan Siriwardena, Scott Austin, and Alexander Senn gives Cyprus’s batting lineup a solid foundation. The Senn brothers, Alexander and Adam, offer firepower in the middle overs. Roman Mazumder and Sachithra Tharanga can rotate strike well, providing balance to the innings.

The bowling unit features all-round options like Mangala Gunasekara, Waqar Ali, and Lovedeep Singh. Think of CYP’s bowling like a boa constrictor: slow, tight, and suddenly—snap goes the stand. Hardeep Singh and Aminul Islam offer spin options that can prove effective in the middle overs.

CYP held their nerve to beat Malta by 6 runs in a gripping 7th place play-off at Port Soif during Europe Qualifier C. Defending a modest 134, their bowlers maintained discipline and held Malta to 128/7 after 20 overs. It was a complete team effort that highlighted Cyprus’s fighting spirit. 

Cyprus Squad

Cyprus Squad

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 wicket is shaping up to be a true surface, offering early help to fast bowlers and later turn for the spinners. Adapting quickly to the inconsistent pace and bounce will be key for batters looking to capitalize.

The weather forecast for August 7 predicts sunny skies with minimal cloud cover. The temperature will hover around 27°C, with moderate humidity and a light breeze—ideal conditions for cricket. Rain interruptions are highly unlikely.

Historically, the Zagreb pitch has produced moderate scoring games, with first-innings scores between 130 and 160 being par. The highest recorded total here stands near the 230 mark, while chasing anything above 150 can be tricky due to the slower nature of the surface in the second innings.

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

Cyprus holds a slight edge over Croatia in their last five encounters, winning three out of five. Their recent head-to-head record suggests Cyprus has the upper hand in close contests.

CRT vs CYP Prediction

According to cricket analysts Cyprus have a 53% chance of Winnin