According to the ICC, Malaysia won by 184 runs thanks to Ahmad Faiz’s unbeaten 105 off 50 balls, while Bhutan won by 95 runs with to Suprit Pradhan’s 59 in a rain-affected encounter at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier (Regional B).
Bhutan Registers a Win Over China – Highlights
Bhutan batted first and got off to a good start thanks to Pradhan and fellow opener Tenjin Rabgey. The pair combined to strike a boundary in each of the first five overs, bringing the total to 33 for no loss. In the sixth over, Pradhan threw caution to the breeze, pulling Tian Senqun for two fours before reaching fifty on the last ball of the eighth over.
Ma Qiancheng bowled Pradhan after the Bhutan captain missed an attempted scoop shot, much to China’s relief. Qiancheng was undoubtedly China’s best bowler, surrendering only 17 runs in four overs to go with his wicket of Pradhan.
Despite a pair of direct smashes in the field that resulted in the wickets of Rabgey for a 47-ball 50 and Namgay Thinley for 5, China were unable to stop their opponents from reaching 161/4 at the end of their 20 overs.
Following a brief weather delay, China was given a revised DLS goal of 144 in 17 overs. They got off to a good start as Wei Guolei cut Tenzin Wangchuk via the off side for four points before hauling Karma Dorji away for the same score. China failed to score another boundary for the remainder of the innings, eventually succumbing for 48 in the 12th over.
Pradhan was named Player of the Match for his aggressive top-of-the-order knock.
Brief Scores
Bhutan 161/4 (Pradhan 59, Rabgey 50, Qiancheng 1-17) defeated China 48/10 (Guolei 15, Namgay Thinley 3-3, Phuntsho 3-10) by 95 runs (DLS Method).
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Malaysia beat Myanmar – Highlights
Malaysia got off to a normal aggressive start after being given the ball. In the second over, Ahmad Zubaidi hit three fours and a six that he put past the deep mid wicket rope.
Myanmar slowed things down by discarding both openers quickly. Syed Aziz was bowled by Paing Danu before Thu Ya Aung dismissed the dangerous Zubaidi, leaving Malaysia 43 for two in the fourth over.
Virandeep Singh came in at four and took his time before pulling Aung Ko Ko over deep mid-wicket for his first six. He wasn’t kept waiting long for his next two sixes. To reach his half-century off just 31 balls, he crushed a Pyae Phyo Wai full toss down the ground before slogging the resulting free hit into cow corner.
Faiz, not to be outdone, recorded two sixes in an over by lifting Htet Lin Aung over long off before slog-sweeping him over the ropes.
Despite these obstacles, Myanmar was unable to prevent Faiz from striking regular bounds. He brought up his hundred with a half-volley off his pads for four in the penultimate over, leading Malaysia reach 219 for six, according to the ICC.
Myanmar had no realistic chance of winning after chasing 11 runs per over. Syazrul Ezat bowled Swann Htet Ko Ko before catching Ko Ko Lin Thu in front for his 50th career T20I wicket, making him the first Malaysian to do so.
After striking his first T20I century, Ahmad Faiz was named Player of the Match.
Brief Scores
Malaysia 219/6 (Faiz 105*, Virandeep 54, Htet Lin Oo 2-40) defeated Myanmar 35/10 (Ye Naing Tun 10, Ezat 2-5, Virandeep 2-7) by 184 runs in 15.5 overs.
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