Preparations have been finalised and the squad departed today from Velana International Airport, Malé.
Friends, family and officials gathered to wish farewell to the Maldives Men’s National Squad as they go off to participate in the The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Men’s Challenger Cup 2023 hosted by the Cricket Association of Thailand (CAT).
The competition is to be played under the 50 Overs format, a first for Maldives and many other Associate nations in more than 10 years.
Matches will be played at the Terdthai Cricket Ground and A.I.T. Cricket Ground in Bangkok from 24th February to 5th March. The other participating nations confirmed are Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Bhutan, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia & Iran.
In the lead up to the 8 country event, the senior coaching staff have been working with eligible players in Malé for the past few weeks. Working on fitness, match-scenarios and friendly practice matches.
The 14 man announced includes a new Captain and Vice-Captain partnership of Adam Nasif and Ahmed Ameel. Adam has been performing for his club and country consistently over recent times and along with Ameel have a wealth of cricket experience to call upon.
Shius Fareed is the debutant call-up of the squad. With his practices catching the eye of the selectors, Shius has a chance to show follow through on the fine potential he had at school level.
We wish Team Maldives all the best in the weeks ahead.
Team Maldives Fixtures 24 Feb – Maldives v Iran – Maldives Won by 27 runs (SCORECARD)
26 Feb – Bahrain v Maldives – Bahrain Won by 292 runs (SCORECARD)
28 Feb – Maldives v Bhutan – Bhutan Won by 4 wickets (SCORECARD)
Group Stage Standings
AdamNasif
Captain
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 of any batsman. With a positive personality the management have given him the responsibility of Captaincy to channel that winning mentality.
AhmedAmeel
Vice Captain
Light-of-foot, Ameel squirrels his way to the crease and delivers a ball with the most economical of actions. As a left armer he always makes the batsmen think. A talented middle order batsman that can time the ball well.
Rewarded with the Vice-Captaincy this year.
MohamedRishwan
Batsman
Rishwan is a big hitter that has piled on the runs year after year and taken key wickets. This could be the tournament where he shows the international teams what he is capable of. When Maldives win matches, for sure, Rishwans' name will be in lights.
HassanHaziq
Batsman / WK
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.
LeemShafeeq
Bowler
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.
HassanIbrahim
Bowler
Hassan has been playing the most competitive club cricket in the world for the past 6 months in Australia. He brings his knowledge and skills together to deliver a ball with pace and accuracy.
A reliable middle order batsman when, on his day, can embarrass the best of bowlers with a range of powerful shots.
- A true jewel in the crown of Maldives Cricket.
IbrahimRizan
Bowler
A traditional off-spinner, Rizan works hard at his art and has won awards consistently for his tally of wickets taken at the domestic level. Now becoming established at international level gaining experience with every year.
IbrahimNashath
All Rounder
Mr Dependable. This firefighting cricketer is a trusted team mate with either bat or ball. A cool character on and off the field, Nashath is your textbook pre-2000 player with a straight bat, rotating the strike and able to nag away at line & length. His cricket is certainly tailored towards the 50 Over format.
MohamedAzzam
Batsman / WK
In early years he scored centuries and kept wicket like the best, some lean years and some injuries had perhaps seen a drop in confidence. However, this past 18 months have seen a resurgence in Azzam's run scoring ability. If his focus is on the runs, Maldives will be focusing on victories.
AliShunan
Bowler
After some years away from the game, Shunan has turned things around and fought his way back to the squad in recent times. A leggie with the skills to rip it both ways. The baby faced assassin can launch the ball way past the rope as well as any in the game.
MohamedMahafooz
Bowler
Right up there with the most experienced players in Maldives history Mahafooz (Mahey) brings a level of composure that is rare in the modern game. Elegant fielding, a deceptive left arm that has plenty of variations and a determination to win.
IsmailNazwan
All Rounder
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; now back as a batsman, Maldives is blessed to have a player like Nazu that lives and breathes cricket.
IsmailAli
Batsman
Isse has struggled with injuries for the past 7 years. After a run of 12 months without a hitch, he has seen some good form in practices and his style of play could boast well for Maldives in the longer format.
A powerful hitter and popular friend to all - many will be happy to see him wear the Red & Green.
ShiusFareed
Batsman
Shius has come right of left-field to be selected without playing any senior cricket in 5 years. The cricket family have seen him score prolific at school level in the past.
With dedication to improving technique, strength and fitness, Shius could be a regular at international level.
AhmedNeesham
Coach
A former national team member of the successful regional tournaments 2005, 2006 and 2010. This all-rounder produced match winning performances again and again for club and country. Now, he is charged with empowering the national team with the same self-belief, hunger to improve and win as he had.
ImadIsmail
Coach
The CBM Development Manager, Level 3 Coach, Coach Educator, Level 3 Umpire & Umpire Educator has perhaps the biggest challenge of his career ahead of him to reshape cricket development in the 'post-covid' times. Always plays and teaches cricket to be played with a smile.
IbrahimShaaz
Manager
Shaaz comes into the group with a wealth of sports management experience. A natural swing bowler still performing on a domestic level, he is now charged with channeling his winning mind-set into developing a comfortable environment for the players and making sure they don't have to deal with all the things he can take care of.
