THAILAND MAKE THE PERFECT START IN ICC WORLD T20 QUALIFIER
NEW CHAPTER BEGINS FOR THAILAND MEN
October 2, 2018ICC World Twenty 20 Asia ‘B’ Qualifier 2018
October 4, 2018
THAILAND MAKE THE PERFECT START IN ICC WORLD T20 QUALIFIER
Thailand men’s cricket team played their first match in the ICC World Twenty20 Asia ‘B’ Qualifier in Malaysia as they overwhelmed China by 10 wickets. China won the toss and chose to bat first but were completely tied down by Thailand’s bowlers as they managed only 35 for 9 in their 20 overs.
Leg-spinner Daniel Jacobs led the way with the new ball as he claimed three wickets for eight runs in his four overs. Chanchai Pengkumta was also impressive as took two wickets for two runs in two overs and six of the seven bowlers used took wickets as Thailand gave a fine performance in the field.
Thailand’s opening batsmen, Daniel Jacobs and Md Shafiqul Haque needed only 2.4 overs to reach the target of 36 as both hit a pair of boundaries with Jacobs the winner of the Player of the Match Award for his fine all-round performance.
Vichanath Singh was proud of his team after his first official match as Thailand captain. ‘It was an excellent start. It was our first game and the boys turned up really well. Everyone was 100 per cent ready to start the tournament on a positive note. Everyone is pumped up and ready to fight against the bigger teams.’
Thailand will face a much sterner task when they play Malaysia in their next match on 4th October. ‘The boys are looking forward to it. We played Malaysia at the SEA Games last year, they are a really good side and we are looking to give our best and compete hard.’ Malaysia beat Bhutan by 67 runs in their first match of the tournament.
Seven teams are competing for three places in the Asia Final Qualifier as the ICC have provided a new qualification pathway for the next World T20 with 52 teams involved at regional level but this new strategy will have the side effect of producing a number of one-sided matches.
Nepal lived up to their billing as the strongest side in the tournament by bowling out Myanmar for 30 in just ten overs and winning by eight wickets. Sandeep Lamichhane who played in the IPL and CPL T20 competitions took four for three but Nepal were unable to better Thailand’s net run-rate so after the first day Thailand are top of the table.
