Pakistan are the SAARC Twenty20 Cup2011 Champions
Pakistan became the champions of the SAARC Twenty20 Cup beating Sri Lanka by 8 runs. The Pakistan team lifted the trophy unbeaten in the tournament having won against Sri Lanka in their group stage match as well. Captain Umar Amin won the toss and decided to bat first. However, they had the worst possible start with their star batsman Nasir Jamshaid out for zero on the first ball he faced. However, Man of the Tournament Awais Zia once again proved his batting prowess by scoring the tournament fastest century, and holding one end of the Pakistan batting line-up as wickets fell at the other end. Ageel Anjum and Jamal Anwar added 37 and 30 runs respectively to take the Pakistan total to 201 before they were all out in the final over. Udhra Madurawala picked up 4 wickets for 30 runs in 3.3 overs.
In reply started well with Danishka Mestigage (41) Ramith Rambukewella (35) and Sanith Vidanalage (27) giving them a good start. They were cruising along when Umar Amin came into bowl. He went on to pick up 4 wickets for 25 runs, choking runs and the prospects of a win for Sri Lanka. Umar was adjudged man of the match for his excellent bowling.
Awais Zia was adjudged man of the tournament for his batting performance in the tournament making 353 runs. He was also the tournaments highest run scorer. Hassan Raza was the tournament highest wicket taker with 9 wickets.
Afghanistan and Maldives secures semi-final spot
Afghanistan beat Bhutan by 224 runs to top Group 1 of the SAARC Twenty20 Cup under 25 tournament. Amir Khan Mangal top scored in the middle of the Afghan innings with 81 runs from 35 overs. Gulbadin Niab and Hamid Hassan were both unbeaten on 44 and 25 runs respectively. The Afghan team had a shaky start loosing regular wickets as they looked to capitalise on Bhutan’s bowling. In the process Sonam Tobgay picked up 4 wickets for 52 runs. In reply, the Bhutanese players were unable to withstand the pace attack of the Afghans. Tashi was the top scorer making an unbeaten 18 runs. Hamid Hassan, Samiullah Shinwari and Dollat Zadran took two wickets each.
With this win for Afghanistan, Maldives also made into the semis as the second team of Group 1, after their win against Bhutan in the first match of the tournament.
In the second match of the day, the Sri Lankans overcame early jitters to post 256 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their 20 overs. Angelo Perera played an outstanding innings making 133 from 54 balls. Udara Madurwalage made 33 runs and Umesh Tennakoon 31 runs. Vinay Chnadra was the pick of the bowlers for India KIOC team with 4 wickets for 30 runs. In reply, India were bowled out for 116 runs in 16.4 overs. Dharshan KV (21), Rahul Bhatkal (27) and Anish DV (26) were in the runs for the Indian team. Lahiru Jayawardana took 3 wickets for 29 runs. Sri Lanka is almost certain of a semi-final spot barring a very one sided win for Nepal against Pakistan tomorrow.
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Nepal and Pakistan come out winners of Day Three
Nepal and Pakistan came out winners on the third day of the SAARC Twenty20. Nepal won a thriller against India and Pakistan came out easy winners against the Sri Lankan U25 side.
In the first match of the morning the Karnataka Institute of Cricket team won the toss as made 218 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 20 overs. Nishanth Singh made a good start at the top making 43 runs. However wickets kept falling at the other end until Rahul Bhatkal came in and made solid fourth wicket partnership with Nishanth which ended with the departure of Nishanth who was bowled by Prithu Baskota. Bhatkal stood large against the Nepalese attack and was left stranded on 99 runs as they ran out of overs. Paras Khadhka took 3 wickets for 26 runs for Nepal.
Khadhka followed up his excellent bowling with a match winning 63 runs down the order. Mahesh Kumar (26) and Anil Mandal (31) started the Nepalese innings well, but it was Khadka and Malla who took the team home with some big flourishes of the bat. Malla made 67 runs not out. The Nepalese made up the deficit in the 19th over. Khadkha was adjudged man of the match for his fine bowling and match winning innings.
In the second match of the day, the much anticipated encounter between Sri Lanka and Pakistan turned out as a one sided affair as Pakistan won the encounter by 7 wickets. The Sri Lankan U25 team batted first and made 157 runs in their 20 overs. Angelo Perera top scored with 41 runs. Some fast and accurate bowling from the Pakistan pace men were their main undoing as Asad Ali picked up 4 wickets for 28 runs.
In reply, Pakistan made 158 runs in 14.1 overs with Nasir Jamshaid making 97 runs from 44 balls. He was bowled on the last ball of the innings needing 3 runs for his century. Awais Zia made 40 runs and the Pakistan’s made up the deficit in 14.1 overs to secure a semi-finals top spot from Group 2. Nasir Jamshaid was adjudged man of the match.
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Pakistan and Afghanistan triumphs on Day 2
SAARC Twenty20 Cup :: DAY 2
Pakistan beats Karnataka Institute of Cricket Team
Pakistan showed a batting master class as they beat the Karnataka Institute of Cricket team from India in the third match of the SAARC Twenty20 Cup. Pakistan after winning the toss went in to bat and set a blistering pacemaking full use of the small Ahmed Ali Didi ground in Fuvahmulah. Openers Nasir Jamshaid and Awais Shah put on 75 runs before Jamshaid was caught off the bowling of Dharshan. However, Awais Zia continued on and made a fine 85 runs off 32 balls. Rameez Aziz added 38 runs, and Umar Amin added 30 runs to take the total to 274 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. The Indian bowlers were dispatched all over the park, but Anish managed to pick 4 wickets for 64 runs in his 4 overs.
In reply, the Indian players were all out for 125 runs in 18.3 overs. Manjunath top scored with 18 runs. Mohamed Talha and Raza Hussain each took 3 wickets for the young Pakistan side.
Afghanistan U25 beats Maldives U25
The Afghans were too hot to handle for the young Maldivian side as they went down by 181 runs in the fourth match of the SAARC Twenty20 Cup today. The Afghanistan U25 side made a massive 313 runs in their 20 overs with Javed Ahmadi making a 50 ball century. Mohamed Shahzad made 82 runs and Gulbadin Naid made 72 runs. Husham Ibrahim was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 63 runs.
In reply Maldives made 132 runs in 18.2 overs. Mohamed Mahafooz played a scintillating innings down the order hitting an unbeated 49 runs off 23 overs to take Maldives into double figures. Merwais Ashraf took 3 wickets.
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Maldives Cricket partners with UNFPA in the “7 billion meehun” campaign
Maldives Cricket became a part of the UNFPA Maldives “7 billion meehun” campaign on the opening the day of the SARC Twenty20 Cup cricket tournament held in Fuvahmulah on 1 October 2011. Thirty-one youth and children accompanied the Sri Lankan and Nepalese team as they lined up for the opening of the exciting Group 2 match of the tournament.
The Global “7 billion actions” campaign run by UNFPA aims to raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges of a 7 billion population. In Maldives the UNFPA is conducting several activities to mark the event in collaboration with government agencies, NGOs and other institutions.
The SAARC Twenty20 Cup is organized by the Cricket Board of Maldives (Maldives Cricket) for the Government of Maldives. The tournament is part of the side-line activities of the 17 SAARC Summit takes place in Addu City on 10-11 November 2011. Seven SAARC member countries (Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) are taking part in this tournament. The teams consists the best Under 25 players from these countries.
The tournament is the first international cricket tournament held in the Maldives and is broadcast live on VTV.
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.
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