Awais Malik of Qatar poses with his Man-of-the-Match award along with Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) Operations Manager Mansoor Ahmed, after the seven-nation ICC World Cricket League Asia Division 1 match against Thailand in Thailand.
Qatar went top of the points table at the seven-nation ICC World Cricket League Asia Division 1 after outclassing hosts Thailand by 60 runs yesterday, thanks to pacer Awais Malik who crafted the third straight victory for the Gulf side in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Awais grabbed four wickets to enable Qatar defend a small total of 160 runs, to continue their winning run at the Gymkhana Club.
After electing to bat, Qatar managed to compile a total of 160 all out in 45.2 overs, on a track which is getting tricky as the tournament progresses.
Tamoor Sajjad was the top scorer with 32 runs while Qalandar Khan (20), vice-captain Mohammed Rizlan (24), Khurram Shahzad (26) and Nauman Sarwar (22) also chipped in with useful contributions.
Spearheaded by Awais, Qatar’s bowling attack confined the hosts to only 100 all out in 36.4 overs to ensure 60-run victory.
The fast bowler bowled eight overs including four maidens for his four-wicket haul, after conceding just 17 runs. He was named Man-of-the-Match. Apart from Awais, Mohammad Nadeem was the other major contributor with the ball with figures of two for 25 from 7 overs.
Thai skipper Daniel Jacobs was the top scorer for losing side with an unbeaten 50 from 88 deliveries.
Qatar, who defeated Kuwait (by 150 runs) and Bhutan (by 214 runs) in their first two matches, will meet neighbours Bahrain today in their fourth match of the tournament. In their last outing five years ago, Qatar were at the receiving end against Bahrain at the same venue.
“Bahrain are a decent side and have come to this tournament after a lot of preparations,” Qatar vice-captain Rizlan told The Peninsula from Chiang Mai.
“They are showing improvement and it’s not going to be very comfortable against them. But, we are confident to continue our winning run in the tournament.”
Speaking about Qatar’s meagre total against the hosts yesterday, the top-order batsman said the team’s batting did well in difficult conditions.
“The pitch is turning slow as a lot of matches are being played on the same track. Batting is not easy on such tracks but our top order batting did well. We are expecting similar batting conditions in the match against Bahrain,” added the 32-year-old.
“Our bowling has been phenomenal in the competition so far.”
Qatar’s will play their last two matches against China on April 28 and Saudi Arabia on May 1. The title winning team of the league event will be promoted to Division 5.
Meanwhile, in another match at Royal Golf Club, Saudi Arabia also registered their third consecutive win by overcoming Bahrain by six wickets. After dismissing their opponents for 78 in 20 overs, the Saudi side reached the target in 20.1 to clinch victory.
At Prem Tinsulanonda International School, Bhutan recorded a 10-wicket win over China to earn two points. Bhutan bowled out China for 56 and reached the small total with comfort in only 5.1 overs to earn a huge victory.
