DRX vs HOR

The following scenes will be all over social media. As the players proceed to lift the trophy, it is time for us to say goodbye. European Cricket won't be stopping anytime soon, though, we have a women's tri-series coming up tomorrow itself, followed by the ECS Portugal kicking off on Monday! This is Rajarshi, signing off on behalf of myself and Pragadeesh. Good night!

Match summary:

Dreux win by 62 runs

Mohammad Nisar 48(23) | Tabish Bhatti 3/6 (2)
Harry Hankins 30(26) | Gavin Griffiths 2/19 (2)

The celebrations have kicked off! Dreux wave the French flag and run around the park, taking a victory lap! What a day for these 11 men and the rest of the staff! Cricket might not be the source of their livelihood, they might not be able to play for the national team due to citizenship issues, which is what makes this moment all the more special! The European Cricket Network never ceases to provide us with heartwarming moments such as these!

Hornchurch might have pulled things back in the latter part of the first innings, but they never really showed up in the run-chase. They lost 3 wickets in the powerplay itself in exchange for a mere 14 runs. Unlike Hornchurch, Dreux were able to latch onto their chances more often, and that was what made the difference. Hornchurch lost half their side within the next over itself, and from then on, the writing was rather prominently on the wall.

Harry Hankins was the only one who put up a fight. He stayed there till the end, hitting 30 out of the 68 eventual runs before being dismissed off the final ball off Ahmad Nabi. Dreux enjoyed themselves to the fullest tonight, they have played their best cricket under lights all tournament, and tonight was no different! They'll now proceed to lift that coveted ECL trophy - we have a new winner!

9.6 Ahmad Nabi to Harry Hankins, OUT! The French flag is flying high as Dreux are the champions of the European Cricket League. The celebration starts and the players are jumping in joy.  Slow rolling off-cutter, Hankins swings but only manages to get a top-edge. The fielder at long-off settles under it and takes it superbly

Harry Hankins c Mohammad Nisar b Ahmad Nabi 30 (26b 1x4 2x6)

9.4 Ahmad Nabi to Marc Whitlock, NO-BALL FOUR! Waist height full toss and the keeper was deceived due to an awkward bounce and the ball runs to the fence

9.2 Ahmad Nabi to Harry Hankins, DROPPED! On a good length, Hankins miscues his pull and the top-edge goes to the right of the bowler. Nabi runs but couldn't grab it

Final over. Dreux are six balls away from lifting the 2023 ECL title. Major last exam day-like feels out there! Ahmad Nabi has been handed the ball, he'll run in to bowl the final over to raucous cheers from the crowd!