PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
It is with great pleasure as the President of the Cricket Board of Maldives to have our senior men’s team participate in this International Cricket Council World T20 Regional Qualifier to be held in Kuwait.
This is a historic Tournament for Maldives Cricket as it is the first time a Maldives national cricket team will be participating in an ICC (International Cricket Council) organised competition.
As a former national team player and now entrusted with the development of cricket throughout the country I recognise that our best players having a chance to perform on the international stage is a fundamental part of our strategic plan for the next 4 to 5 years.
The Executive Committee and myself have provided, what we believe, is the best possible preparation for this tournament and as the Maldives most successful international sport, cricket has a task to encourage the sport loving people of our nation to have pride and an understanding of the journey we are taking.
Fundamental to the success of cricket in our nation is the on-going support by His Excellency The President Yameen Abdul Gayoom and his Government. Their commitment to the development of all sports is a vital part of improving the international status of Maldives competitive sports teams and individuals.
At the conclusion of the tournament our playing staff, support staff, Executive Committee and myself will have a measure stick of where we are in terms of development and achieving our long term goals.
In 2016 & 2017 our domestic cricket has been focussed on inclusion of more Maldivians playing the sport and providing new and better facilities and equipment for the players and coaches to work with.
In 2018 that growth continues with the sport-supporting government assisting the Cricket Board of Maldives at every point along our journey. It is incredibly important to encourage the youth of our country to take up sport and cricket in particular and maintain their interest, personal and team successes over the coming years.
I’m sure you will join me in wishing the very best to our selected squad as they carry the flag on all our behalf.
Mohamed Aflah
President
Cricket Board of Maldives
TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW
The road to the ICC World Twenty20 2020 gets under way in Kuwait in April 2018.
The 2020 ICC World Twenty20 – Asia Sub Regional Qualifier (Middle East) will be hosted by the Kuwait Cricket Association (KCA). The Cricket Board of Maldives would like to take this opportunity to thank the International Cricket Council and Kuwait Cricket Association for their involvement in what is sure to be a fantastic event.
2020 ICC World Twenty20 – Asia Sub Regional Qualifier (Middle East) will be played between Friday 20 April 2018 – Friday 27 April, 2018.
The playing venues for the tournament will be Sulaibiya Cricket Ground and Entertainment City Cricket Ground – Doha.
The teams will be participating in a round robin format with three spots in the Regional Finals (Asia), guaranteed for the top 3 ranked teams.
In all, 61 teams will compete in 12 regional qualification groups in 2018 across five regions – Africa (3 groups), Americas (2), Asia (2), East Asia Pacific (2) and Europe (3). The top 25 sides from these will then contest five regional finals in 2019 with seven progressing to the ICC World T20 qualifier.
The ICC World Twenty20 2020 will be held in Australia. It will be for the first time that the tournament will be held after a gap of four years.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
Kuwait, Maldives, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia & Bahrain
The event was first staged in 2007 in South Africa originally on a two-yearly cycle, however the men’s competition now takes place every 4 years. A women’s event was launched in 2009 and remains a biennial event. Up to 2016 the women’s event was integrated with the men’s event however for 2020 the women’s event will be held in March and the men’s event in October/November, both in Australia.
Sixteen teams participate in the men’s event. The ten ICC Full Members qualify automatically; the top 8 from the ICC T20 rankings go directly into the Super 10 stage and the bottom two join six qualifiers in the first round. This features two groups of four with the top team in each group progressing to the Super 10. The ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier takes place approximately 12 months prior to the event to identify the 3 Associate Member qualifiers.
Ten teams participate in the women’s event; the top six teams in the women’s rankings joined by 4 teams that qualify from the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier event.
The next ICC Women’s World Twenty20 takes place in 2018 in the West Indies, whilst the next ICC World Twenty20 is scheduled for 2020 in Australia.
SQUAD PREPARATION
The squad was selected based on a criteria set by the C.B.M. Selection Committee that consisted of Match performances, Practice Attendances, Attitude and Development.
The squad practices regularly outdoors and indoors utilising the new Indoor Nets & Practice Hall opened earlier this year.
So that the squad is prepared in the best possible way for the upcoming tournament, the squad and officials will travel to Sri Lanka in early April.
There they will be playing against a similar standard of opposition, as they will face in Kuwait and on natural turf pitches.
Preparation Tours such as this are a vital opportunity for the squad members to bond and the officials to understand how their tactics will be decided and more importantly, how the tactics will be executed on the field in pressure situations.
With some players and officials from the Asian Cricket Council Challenge Trophy victory in 2010 being involved with this squad, the aim is to emulate that and other previous successes.
20th April
Kuwait v Maldives
Saudi Arabia v Bahrain
Qatar v UAE
21st April
Kuwait v Qatar
Maldives v Bahrain
Saudi Arabia v UAE
23rd April
Maldives v Qatar
Saudi Arabia v Kuwait
Bahrain v UAE
24th April
Maldives v UAE
Saudi Arabia v Qatar
Kuwait v Bahrain
26th April
Kuwait v UAE
Bahrain v Qatar
Saudi Arabia v Maldives
27th April
3rd/4th Place Match
FINAL MATCH
Haziq led his club team from the front by scoring runs in all competitions against all types of bowling. His shot selection makes batting look easy and this keen eye aids his performances as wicket keeper. Nicknamed 'The Lion', for his courage to take on a challenge.
Hassan has played Grade cricket in Australia and tournament cricket in Malaysia. A pacey, front on action has seen Hassan snatch key wickets and keep the best of batsmen unable to play their natural game. Hassan is a reliable middle order batsman when, on his day, can embarrass the best of bowlers with a range of powerful shots.
A multi-talented cricketer with bat, ball, and on the field, Adam has worked hard at all aspects of the game as he aims to achieve his personal goals within cricket. Bowling off-break at speed and from a height guarantees to ask questions to any batsman. With a fiery personality and plenty to say if he's not focus of attention, this could be the year he focusses on the 'next ball' only!
Now considered a senior player, Azzam takes on the captaincy. In early years he scored centuries and kept wicket like the best, some lean years and some injuries recently has perhaps seen a drop in confidence. However, all in Maldives Cricket know what he is capable of.
Nazu is a player that has had to work especially hard to maximise his potential best. A batsman in his youth that scored runs for fun, he was moulded into a medium pace bowler by his coach. Maldives is blessed to have a player like Nazu that lives and breathes cricket.
Following in his fathers strides, Leem generates a surprising amount of pace and bounce from slamming that front foot into the crease and using his leg as a huge lever. Wise beyond his age, Leem has worked out how to take wickets match after match regardless of the opposition.
Raid has come through the ranks at Milan Cricket Academy and although not a regular starter for his club has worked hard and is adaptable as a leggie or orthodox slow left arm. Has represented Maldives at U16 and U19 levels.
This pocket sized dynamo is full of energy behind or in-front of the stumps. Another product of the U16s and U19 squads Shadoof is beginning to follow through on the promise that has followed him around for the last 6 years.
Playing club cricket in Malé for a number of years and working hard to improve has found this young man in the National Team. A strong physique and mature mind is a balanced addition to the squad.
Short in stature, tall in speed and experience. One of the trio of Sri Lankans now qualified to represent the Maldives, Chandana has been excelling in club cricket in Malé fo some years. A great guy to have on any team.
At club level Nilaantha has played with some of the modern greats of Asian & world cricket. A long career has seen this all-rounder gain a wealth of experience essential to any cricket team. The other squad players can tap into this reservoir of information and guidance. A powerful hitter of the ball and a precise leggie will cause headaches for any opposition captain.
A stalwart of Maldives Cricket for so many years is now having the chance to blend a mix of youth and experience into this squad of players for 2020. Top qualifications of all aspects of cricket, every single cricketer in Maldives has faced one of his throw-down sessions. Tirelessly dedicated to improving and developing cricket.
