Tshering Tashi
Tenjin Rabgey
Sonam Chophel
Namgang Chejay
Ranjung Dorji
Thinley Jamtsho✱
Shahrukh Quddus
Yasin Patel
Anudeep Chenthamara
Mohammed Aslam
Adnan Idrees
Ravija Sandaruwan✱
Bilal Tahir
Clinto Anto✱
Sonam Yeshey
Tashi Phuntsho
In a nail‑biting finish at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait edged Bhutan by just four runs, thanks to Ravija Sandaruwan's blistering 40 off 11 balls. The match, part of the Men's T20 World Cup Asia Sub‑Regional Qualifier A 2026, turned into a dramatic showdown as the rain clouds loomed over a partly sunny afternoon.
Match Summary
After winning the toss, Kuwait chose to bowl first, hoping to exploit the early moisture on the pitch. Bhutan’s top order struggled against a disciplined Kuwaiti attack, with Yasin Patel delivering a standout spell of 4/12 in 4 overs. Bhutan managed a modest total of 74 for 9 in 20 overs, a score that reflected both the pressure of the chase and the challenging conditions.
Kuwait’s chase began cautiously, but the momentum shifted dramatically when opener Ravija Sandaruwan unleashed a ferocious onslaught. In just 11 deliveries, he smashed 40 runs, including six fours and three sixes, catapulting Kuwait to a comfortable position. The chase wrapped up in just 4.2 overs, with Kuwait finishing on 78 for 2, securing a four‑run victory.
Key Performances
Ravija Sandaruwan (Kuwait) – 40 runs off 11 balls (6x4, 3x6). His power hitting turned the tide, earning him the Player of the Match award.
Yasin Patel (Bhutan) – 4 wickets for 12 runs in 4 overs. Patel’s accuracy and variation kept Bhutan’s batsmen in check, but the lack of support from the other bowlers limited Bhutan’s defensive options.
Tashi Phuntsho (Kuwait) – 1/29 in 2 overs and Thinley Jamtsho (Kuwait) – 1/30 in 1.2 overs. Both contributed crucial overs in the middle phase, maintaining pressure despite a high run rate.
Turning Points
The decisive moment arrived in the 4th over of Kuwait’s innings. After a steady start, Ravija Sandaruwan faced a short delivery and launched it for a six over long‑on, followed by a rapid succession of boundaries. This burst of aggression reduced the required run rate from a daunting 19 per over to a manageable 10, effectively sealing the match before the rain could intervene.
Another pivotal factor was the early wicket of Bhutan’s captain, who fell for a duck, exposing the middle order to Kuwait’s relentless pressure. Yasin Patel’s spell dismantled the lower order, ensuring Bhutan could not post a defendable total.
Series Implications
Kuwait’s win positions them strongly in Group A of the Men's T20 World Cup Asia Sub‑Regional Qualifier A 2026, giving them vital net‑run‑rate advantage. Bhutan, despite the loss, can take heart from Patel’s bowling performance and will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
Both teams will be watching the weather forecast closely, as the 70% chance of rain could affect upcoming matches at Bayuemas Oval. The next round of games promises more high‑stakes cricket, with the qualifier’s top two sides advancing to the Regional Final.
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