Sri Lanka wins big
Sri Lanka set the pace for the SAARC Twenty20 Cup by beating Nepal by 76 runs. After winning the toss Sri Lanka decided to bat first. They made most of the small boundaries with big hits all over the ground. Danishka Mestiyage led from the front making the tournament’s first century. He made 105 runs from 51 balls which included 8 sixes. Bhanuka Perara was the other top scorer for the side, making 58 runs from 38 balls. Angelo Perara made 36 runs and Shehan Jayasuriya, 21 runs. Paras Khadka took 3 wickets for 57 runs for Nepal.
As Nepal went in to bat, the run chase looked formidable. But they went in fighting with some big hitting by Pradeep Airee (35), Prithu Baskota (32) and Binod Bandari (25). However, they could only manage to score 164 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Ramith Rambukewella and Bhanku Rajapakse took 3 wickets each for the Sri Lankans.
Maldives begins with a win
Maldives win the first match of the SAARC Twenty20 Cup beating Bhutan by 6 runs. Maldives captain Shafraz Jaleel won the toss on a bright sunny morning in the newly constructed Ahmed Ali Didi Cricket Ground in Fuvahmulah. Shafraz decided to send in the Bhutanese team to bat, hoping that the newly laid artificial wicket would throw up a few surprises early in the morning. He was rewarded early as Bhutan lost their first wicket for 22 runs. Manoj Adhikari was caught by Shafraz off the bowling of Ahmed Umar who went on to take 4 wickets for the young Maldivian side. After some stability Bhutan lost their second wicket for 67 runs. Thinley Jamtsho batted with authority making 45 for 28 runs before being stumped by Shafraz Jaleel off the bowling of Mihusan Hamid. The Bhutanese team collapsed after their good start loosing quicks wickets in the 90s. Ahmed Umar was the strike bowler taking 4 wickets for 20 runs in his 4 overs. Ace spinner Mohamed Mahafooz took 3 wickets for 23 runs.
In reply, Maldives paid the price for starting too eagerly loosing three early wickets; Mohamed Rishwan (0), Shafraz Jaleel (3) and Mihusan Hamid (3). However, two good partnerships, first between Hassan Hazig and Muaviath Anwar and secondly between Muaviath A. Ghanee and Mohamed Azzam took the Maldivian team over the target line with 4 overs to spare. Muaviath, the man of the match, made an unbeated 49 runs and Azzam made 20 run.
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Read MoreNew schedule announced for the SAARC Twenty20 Cup
The Cricket Board of Maldives has announced the new schedule for the SAARC Twenty20 Cup. The tournament has been rescheduled as Bangladesh was unable to send a team to the tournament. The tournament which was schedule to begin on 31 October will now begin on 1 November with hosts Maldives taking on Bhutan.
Pakistan team arrives in Maldives
The Pakistan team for the SAARC Twenty2o Cup arrived in Maldives team today. They are the first team to travel to Maldives for the tournament. The team consists of 14 players and three officials.
The Nation online reported that Coach Sabih Azhar was upbeat before travelling to Maldives. According to The Nation Pakistan Coach Sabih Azhar said that the Under-25 cricket tournament had been playing after a long time and that it was a good chance for youngsters to exhibit their prowess during the event and get place in the national team by performing well. He further added that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had chosen a well-balanced team for the event as all the players were very talented. He said that the team was a combination of experienced and talented young players who performed well in the recently held National Twenty20 and also had very good domestic record. He said that it was a big tournament and that they will take it seriously and adopt professional approach in winning the event. He said that he was hopeful Pakistan team will not only qualify for the final but also get success in winning the event. (The nation)
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