Bahrain raised temperature in the Asia Qualifier Group A for the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup after they piled up 179 for nine, the highest total in the event so far, against Saudi Arabia and then carved out a dominant 18-run triumph at the Asian Town Stadium yesterday.
Their second victory in four matches, thanks to a blistering 67 off 47 balls by Abdul Wahid, took them to the top with six points and a healthy net run-rate of 2.409.
On the last day of the tournament today, Qatar and Kuwait, who are also in the race with two wins each, are scheduled to clash. It is clear that only the winner can challenge Bahrain and it will have to win by a big margin in order to beat the Bahrain’s NRR.
Saudi Arabia, who defeated Kuwait and added suspense to the five-team contest, fell out of the contention after their second loss and are holding the fourth spot, while Maldives are at the bottom with zero points. Only the champion will gain the right to play in the one of the two global qualifier for the mega event, to be hosted by Australia next year.
Right from the moment Bahrain were asked to bat first, they began attacking the rivals bowlers and mustered 89 runs for the opening wicket through man of the match Sarfaraz Ali and Muhammad Younis. Soon after Ali smashed a six off Imran Yousaf in the 10th over, the bowler responded with splitting up the pair. He bowled Younis for 33 with three sixes and a four.
Ali kept up his power-hitting at one end and whacked two more sixes before falling to Hisham Sheikh in the 13th over. But his 45-ball cameo, which contained six sixes and three fours, provided the much-needed springboard to his team. Though they kept losing wickets, Bahrain managed to post the daunting total.
Saudi Arabia attempted to force the pace but could not succeed against some tight bowling by Bahrain. At one stage they were reeling six down for 58. Though Abdul Wahid sought to repair the damage with his fighting 72 not out and his 56-run alliance Hisham Sheikh (22 off 20) for the sixth wicket, the task was too steep to accomplish. In the end, they required 66 runs off the final overs and could reply with 161 for six. Wahid’s 40-ball knock was quite gritty, having five sixes and six fours.
Meanwhile, Kuwait made sure there were no hiccups or surprises before their final match against hosts Qatar as they cruised to a five-wicket triumph over whipping boys
Maldives in the Asia Qualifier Group A for the 2022 ICC T20 Men’s World Cup at the Asian Town Stadium yesterday.
Adnan Idrees was the pick of the bowlers as his three for 27 bundled out the rivals for just 102 in 20 overs.
