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Thrash Kuwait in opening ICC World Cricket League Qualifier by 150 runs
Tribune News Network
Chiang Mai (Thailand)
Qatar produced a dominating performance in their opening match of the ICC World Cricket League Qualifier Asia as they defeated Kuwait by a whopping 150 runs Royal Chiang Mai Golf Course ground in Thailand on Saturday.
Batting first, Qatar made a commanding 295 for 6 off their 50 overs and later bowled out Kuwait for 145.
The star for Qatar was the team's captain and Man-of-the Match Iman-ul-Haq. Opening the batting for his side, he scored 62 off 102 balls (5x4, 1x6) and later also claimed two wickets.
Qalandar Khan hit 72 (83balls; 10x4, 2x6) and shared an opening partnership of 128 with Iman.
Tamoor Sajjad, who had made 164* in the warm-up tie against Thailand on Thursday, scored a sedate unbeaten 43 as wickets fell but Zaheer Ibrahim hit out brilliantly to make fifty in just 16 balls (57 off 19 balls; 4x4, 5x6) to take Qatar to a match-winning total.
In reply, Kuwait began well as Aamir Javed made 52 and shared a fifty partnership for the second wicket with Mohammad Irfan.
Qatar then turned to their more than useful spin attack and the tall left-arm spinner Mohammad Nadeem ripped his heart out claiming three wickets before returning to claim the last wicket as he had figures of 4 for 10 as Kuwait were bundled off for 145.
Qatar have been in Chiang Mai for the last week as they prepared well for the tournament.
They have looked a good batting side as two players reached centuries in the practice matches and it was no surprise that they excelled against Kuwait.
In the other big match of the day, Saudi Arabia -- considered to be one of the favourites for the tournament -- gave a dominant performance beating China 390 runs at the Gymkhana Club.
The most memorable performance of the day, however, came from Thailand's left-handed opening batsman Wanchana Uisuk, who batted through the innings to score an unbeaten 115 against Bhutan at Prem as the host country beat Bhutan by 154 runs.
The second day of the competition will see Thailand face Bahrain at Prem, Qatar play Bhutan at Gymkhana and Kuwait take on China at Royals.
Scores: Qatar 295-6 in 50 overs (Qaladar Khan 72 (10x4, 2x6), Iman-ul-Haq 62 (5x4, 1x6), Zaheer Ibrahim 57 n.o. (4x4, 5x6) Tamoor Sajjad 43 n.o. (4x4, 2x6)) bt Kuwait 145 all out in 40.4 overs (Aamir Javed 52 (7x4, 1x6), Mohd Irfan 29 (2x4, 2x6); Mohammed Nadeem 4-10, Iqbal Hussain 2-20, Iman-ul-Haq 2-27) by 150 runs.
