Kuwait has today secured it’s maiden birth in the ICC 50 Overs Cricket World Cup Challenge League by winning 3 out of its 4 matches in the ongoing qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur
Meet Bhavasar’s back to back centuries a massive highlight in the teams success and progress
Kuwait national men's cricket team powered by Al Muzaini Exchange has clinched a berth in the next round of the International Cricket Council (ICC) 50 Overs Cricket World Cup Challenge League. In their 4th match of the tournament held today, Kuwait defeated Vanuatu by a commanding 228 runs, solidifying their position among the elite teams of Associate Cricket. Kuwait's victory was a testament to their batsmen's dominance. Openers Meet Bhavsar and Ravija set the tone with blistering centuries, one half, one full, amassing 132 and 55 runs respectively with Ravija coming to the party today with four 6’s. Meet Bhavsar’s dominance at the top of the order with back to back centuries in the tournament for Kuwait will go down as the most memorable and impactful knocks in Kuwait Cricket’s international progress. It has been top class batting from the young dynamite of Kuwait.
Captain cool Muhammad Aslam leading from the front with both bat and ball throughout the tournament steered and accelerated the innings with an unbeaten 82, while the experienced Mohammad Amin who has been consistently performing in this tournament added another valuable 34 runs to his tally and the hard hitter Bilal Tahir smashed an unbeaten 24 with three back to back 6’s taking Kuwait to a mammoth total of 360 - the highest by any team thus far in the tournament.
For Vanuatu bowlers, there was not much joy except Joshua Rasu and Nalisa who shared two wickets each. Kuwait set a target of 360 runs on board for loss of 4 wickets in their 50 overs. Chasing a daunting target of 361 Vanuatu batsmen couldn’t break through and wickets fell at regular intervals. The lone fighter was Ronald Tari who scored 48 runs and rest of the batters couldn’t contribute much. Vanuatu was bundled out at 132 runs resulting in a fantastic win for Kuwait. On the bowling front, Sharukh Quddus, Yasin Patel, and Sayed Monib played pivotal roles, sharing nine wickets among themselves and restricting Vanuatu to 132 runs. For his successive centuries, Meet Bhavsar was yet again declared the player of the Match.
Kuwait will play their remaining two matches against Bahrain and Tanzania in the Super 6 round. The team's qualification for the next round ensures that Kuwait cricket will continue to shine on the international stage and this time in 50 overs cricket.
Speaking to the media on this monumental occasion, Mr. Haider Farman, the proud President of Kuwait Cricket Board said "This is an extremely satisfying, historic and pathbreaking moment for Kuwait cricket and a reflection of all the hard work that’s been put in for so many years by the entire KCC family…I congratulate each and every single member of the delegation to Malaysia and the entire KCC fraternity for this huge breakthrough….I strongly believe that we have the potential to achieve more and excel even further with an eye on the ODI Status now.….we look forward to the team’s return as they deserve a grand welcome in Kuwait…..”
KCC Director General Mr. Sajid Ashraf said that “We have many dreams, one of them has come true today…With today’s win and qualification for the ICC CWC Challenge League, Kuwait has been granted List A Status by the ICC and the team has demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and teamwork to achieve that…and we are immensely proud of their achievements….Kuwait will now participate in as many as 15 List A matches spread across this 50 overs cycle over the next four years…huge congratulations to the entire team led by skipper Aslam, head coach Qasim Ali and Team Manager Naveen Dhanajayan….and all the players as they are the real heroes of the game having worked tirelessly on the ground and performed exceptionally well when it mattered the most to achieve this for our beloved country Kuwait…”