Saudi thrash China

Manama : Saudi Arabia recorded a thumping 390-run victory over China yesterday in the opening round of matches of the International Cricket Council (ICC) 2017 World Cricket League (WCL) Division One in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Batting first, Saudi Arabia scored a massive 418 all out in 50 overs with Mohammed Afzal (120 off 100, 14x4. 4x6) the main scorer, with good support coming from the skipper Shaoib Ali (91 off 41, 10x4, 6x6), Shahbaz Rasheed (51), Imran Asif (40) and Abdul Waheed (30), while Feng Yu (five for 89) in 10 overs and Zhang Yu Fei (two for 82) in 10 overs being the best of the bowlers for China.

In reply, China was humbled as they were bowled out for just 28 in 12.4 overs with ‘extras’ 13 top scoring, followed by Zhuang Zelin (6) and Zhang Peng (6 not out).

The pick of the bowlers for Saudi Arabia were Imran Arif (three for two) four overs, Shahbaz Rasheed (three for five) in 2.4 overs including a hat-trick and Ibrarul Haq (three for eight) in four overs.

The teams competing in the tournament are hosts Thailand, Bhutan, Bahrain, China, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with the winner of the qualifier progressing to the ICC WCL Division 5 which will be staged in September 2017. Five regional qualifiers will play alongside two teams relegated from Division 4 and one team from Division 5.

This round of matches for Asia sees the seven teams play each other in a league with matches played on three grounds in the city of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. Each team will play a total of six matches spread over a 10 day period concluding on May 1 at Prem Tinsulanonda International School, Chiangmai Gymkhana and Royal Chiangmai Golf Club.

In other matches played, Kuwait defeated Kuwait by 150 runs and Thailand outplayed Bhutan by 154 runs.

Bahrain’s campaign gets underway against hosts Thailand and comprises the captain, Azeem Ul Haq, Tahir Dar, Babar Ali, Junaid Niazi, Gamini Perrera, Imran Butt, Janaka Chathuranga, Mohammed Ismail, Amir Gondal, Mohammed Sameer Fayaz, Mohammed Iqbal, Awad Khan, Bilal Mansoor, Jabbar Amjad, head coach Rexie Arunvasagam and manager Syed Rizwan Shah.

Other scores: 

1)Qatar 295/6 in 50 overs (Qalandar Khan 72, Iman Ul Haq 62, Zaheer Ibrahim 57no, Haroon Shahid 3/49) bt Kuwait 145 all out in 40.4 overs (Aamir Javed 52, Mohammed Irfan 29, Haroon Shahid 24, Mohammed Nadeem 4/10 by 150 runs. 

2)Thailand 235/3 (Wanchana Uisek 115no, Ryan Raina 68no) bt Bhutan 81 all out in 31.5 overs (Sonam Tobgay 24, Jigme Singye 17, Kencho Norbu 12, Sameer Gawas 2/9, Nopphon Senamontree 2/22) by 154 runs.

Today’s schedule: 

1)Thailand vs Bahrain, 

2)Qatar vs Bhutan, 

3)Kuwait vs China.