CRICKET – BAHRAIN were crowned champions of the Rwanda Tri-Nation T20I Series, held in Rwanda’s capital Kigali.
The kingdom’s senior men’s cricket national team continued their impressive recent run, securing a resounding 94-run victory over their counterparts from Malawi in the final, played at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium.
The triumph marked Bahrain’s ninth consecutive win in the African tri-nation series, further cementing their rising reputation in associate cricket.
Opting to bat first, Bahrain unleashed a relentless assault, posting a formidable 189/3 in their 20 overs. Opener Sohail Ahmed set the tone with a fiery 52 off 26 balls (three fours, four sixes), while Asif Ali (46 off 28) and Fiaz Ahmed (32 off 20) provided explosive support. Prashant Kurup anchored the innings with a composed 38 off 41.
Malawi’s bowlers had no answers, with only Bright Balala (1/10) and skipper Sami Sohail (1/30) managing breakthroughs. Chisomo Tchale endured a tough spell, conceding 57 runs in his four overs.
In reply, Malawi’s chase never gained momentum. Ali Dawood (2/19) and Imran Khan (1/26) struck early, leaving them reeling.
Captain Sami Sohail fought back with a brisk 43 off 26, but once he fell, the innings collapsed. Rizwan Butt (3/7) and Asif Ali (2/18) dismantled the lower order, bowling Malawi out for a meagre 95 in 17.3 overs.
Ali was named Player of the Match for his stellar all-round performance (46 runs and two wickets). His contributions epitomised Bahrain’s dominance throughout the tournament.
Bahrain Cricket Federation (BCF) chairman Mohammad Mansoor praised the team’s historic achievement. “The recent tours to Malawi and Rwanda have been a tremendous success for Bahrain Cricket,” he said. “Our national team displayed exceptional resilience and skill, playing a demanding 16 matches against strong opponents including Germany, Tanzania, Nigeria, and the host nations.
“To emerge as champions of the Rwanda Triangular series is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every player and support staff member.
“This achievement is a vital step forward in realising His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s profound vision to elevate Bahrain cricket onto the global stage.
“We are fully committed to building a sustainable and thriving cricketing ecosystem in the kingdom, from grassroots development to international excellence. These tours are crucial in providing our players with invaluable exposure and experience, ultimately contributing to our ambitious goal of global recognition.”
Bahrain’s emphatic win underscores their emergence as a force in associate cricket, while Malawi will look to regroup.
Bahrain’s national team returned to the kingdom yesterday morning and were greeted by BCF officials upon touching down at Bahrain International Airport.
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