Bahrain brush aside China

Manama : Bahrain won comfortably by nine wickets against China in its fifth match and the sixth round of round-robin matches yesterday in the International Cricket Council (ICC) 2017 World Cricket League (WCL) Asia Region Division One in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Batting first, China were dismissed for just 65 in 32.1 overs, despite a positive start when they began with a 20-run opening partnership in 8.2 overs by Lu Cang Cang (11 off 34 deliveries, 1x4) and Jing Shuyao (9, 2x4).

After the partnership was broken, the only double figure innings came from Zhang Peng (10 off 38) and Yan Hua Wen (10 off 23, 1x4).

Four Bahraini bowlers shared the wickets with man of the match being Gamini Arachchige (four for seven) in 4.1 overs the pick of the bowlers, while Tahir Dar (two for eight) in 8, Babar Ali (two for 11) in 8 and Junaid Aziz (two for 19) in 5 picked up the rest.

Bahrain in reply easily reached the target scoring 66 for one in just six overs as wicket keeper Imran Ali Butt (14 not out off 11, 3x4) and Janaka Chaturanga (26 off 12, 1x4, 3x6) put on 34 for the opening stand before the latter was bowled by Zhang Peng (one for 25) in two overs. 

Mohammed Sameer (23 not out off 13, 3x4, 1x6) came to the crease and batted Bahrain to victory.

Bahrain prepared for this championship with five friendly matches in Sri Lanka, winning three and losing two, getting aclimatised and getting used to turf wickets.

Under head coach Rexie Arunvasagam and manager Syed Rizwan Shah, the squad comprises comprises the captain, Azeem Ul Haq, Tahir Dar, Babar Ali, Junaid Aziz, Gamini Arachchige, Imran Ali Butt, Janaka Chaturanga, Mohammed Rafeh, Aamar Shahzad, Mohammed Sameer, Mohammed Iqbal, Awad Khan, Bilal Mansoor, Jabbar Amjad, Mohammed Ismail.

The winner of the qualifier progresses 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.

Standings (after six rounds): (played-won-lost-points): 

Saudi Arabia (5-5-0-10), 

Qatar (5-4-1-8), 

Kuwait (5-3-2-6), 

Bahrain (5-3-2-6),

Thailand (5-2-3-4),

Bhutan (5-1-4-2), 

China (6-0-6-0).