It always looked a tough one, but in the end the Maldives players put on a brave fight to overturn Kuwait’s 153 run, falling short by 57 runs. Once again it was the Maldivian bowlers who provided hope for the team, getting Kuwait out for just 153 runs. Pace duo Hassan Ibrahim and Abdulla Shahid were the main tormentors, taking 3 wickets between them. Hassan took 3 for 21 runs from 9 overs and Shahid, 3 wickets for 27 runs from 8 overs. Ahmed Umar started his spell well taking one wicket, but had to pull out due to injury. Shafee Saeed, Mohamed Mahafooz and Ahmed Hassan took 1 wicket each. The bowlers struck regularly, and Kuwait batsmen were struggling at one stage with 4 wickets for only 45 runs. The tail enders dug deep for Kuwait to post a competitive score.
Maldives started off badly in their chasing, losing their key batsman Ahmed Hassan in the fourth over. Abdulla Shahid offered some resistance making 12 runs before he was out in the 20th overs. Mohamed Rishwan came next and played a solid innings making 39 runs in 62 balls. However, there was no solidity at the other end as Maldives lost quick wickets, with Shafraz Jaleel, Afzal Faiz, Hassan Ibrahim and Mihusan Hamid managing only 13 runs between them. Mohamed Mahafooz tried to steady the innings making a patience 12, but in the end the 153 runs proved too much of an ask. Maldives were all out in the 27th over for 96 runs.
The Maldivian batsman needs to pick themselves up quickly as they take on tournament big hitters, the Saudi. It will not be an easy task for the Saudi’s though, as Maldives has some of the finest bowlers in the tournament. And if the batsman puts on a supporting role, the match will go down to the wire.
