GIB vs MLT 2nd T20I match prediction 20 Aug 2021

GIB vs MAL Match 2 Predictions & Betting Tips

In their first ever T20I encounter against each other, Gibraltar will face off against Malta in match number two of the Portugal Tri-series at the Gucherre Cricket Ground in Albergaria on Friday. The series is another positive example of the continuous global expansion of the game, even in the present times of crisis. Keep reading to know the best Portugal T20 Tri-series betting tips as per my GIB vs MAL match prediction.

Over the past few decades, cricket has come a long way from its colonial past. What started off with just a few select countries participating internationally, has now evolved into more than 50 nations having played a full official game mandated by the ICC. The game has especially received a boost in Europe, where even the smaller nations have emerged with well-trained teams in a bid to rise to glory.

Gibraltar is an ideal example of the same. It is the fourth lowest populated country among the ICC member nations, with a population of less than 35,000. Yet, cricket grants them the opportunity to compete with European powerhouses such as Spain and Portugal that consist of a 1,000 times larger population. Similarly, Malta is just a small island nation at the southern extremity of the continent who have benefited from global efforts to promote cricket in more and more countries.

Thus, in another momentous occasion, the two nations will meet for the first time ever in a full T20I in the Portugal T20 Tri-series. Given below is my GIB vs MAL match prediction and the top betting tips for the same.

GIB vs MAL Team Bet:

Most cricket betting websites have restricted themselves to offering the simplest of team bets on the ongoing tri-series owing to its small-scale nature. Thereby, the winner’s bet is the best option available to you for the GIB vs MAL head to head encounter.

Malta clear favourites

As is the case often with European competitions contested by multiple teams, a severely unmatched underdog has to clash with much better outfits. Nevertheless, the experience is important to learn lessons and improve as a team. That is at least what Gibraltar would be hoping for, considering the disparity with Malta. Let’s have a look at the factors that separate the two teams. To begin with, Malta is easily the most experienced team in the tournament and by some distance. Since January 2019, Malta has played as many as 13 games, the majority of which were recognized by ICC as full T20 internationals. Even when they did not have the privilege of facing official national teams, the squads they set out against were strong lineups. For instance, in the 2019 Valletta Cup, Hungary XI had ended up reaching the final of the tournament while Malta were knocked out in the semi finals itself. Additionally, the island nation has faced other well established European cricketing forces as well such as Spain and Czech Republic amongst others. In comparison, Gibraltar has only played four games in the same time period, all of which came in the 2019 Iberia Cup. Courtesy ICC’s decision to grant all T20 games full official recognition, the country made its debut in the format against neighbouring Spain. It then went on to play them once more along with a couple of clashes against Portugal.

Secondly, Malta’s players will have had far more match practice coming into the fixture. Gibraltar’s last T20I came way back in October 2019 against Spain. Malta, on the other hand, are coming off the back of a five match T20I series with the nation of Belgium. The last of the five encounters took place on July 10, 2021, just a little over a month ago. Additionally, they would have already played their opener in the tournament ahead of the match, with a match against the hosts scheduled to kick start the Portugal Tri-series. Moving on, Malta has had greater success on the international stage. After racking up two victories in the Spain Triangular T20 Series in 2019, the team went on to register another win against Iceland in the Valletta Cup later that year. Against Belgium, the team put on a brave showing despite being placed 15 ranks lower. Even though they lost the series 3-2, the performance exceeded all expectations. Gibraltar, adversely, are yet to register their first victory in a full T20I. They have lost all the four games they have played so far, barely being able to contest closely in any of those fixtures. As per the ICC T20I rankings, Malta currently have 31 rating points to their name, an astounding 28 more than their rivals. The Iberian nation is placed at a decent 58th, 16 ranks above their upcoming opponents. On the whole, all factors point towards an easy Malta victory. Therefore, I pick them to win at a canter in today’s GIB vs MAL match prediction. Dafabet has offered lucrative odds of 1.80 on a victory for the island nation.