CRICKET – Bahrain came away with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Thailand in the Mini Sea Games Men’s T20i 2025, currently being held in Selangor, Malaysia.
The victory secured two crucial points for the Bahrainis.
Winning the toss and opting to field first on a pitch that offered early assistance, Bahrain’s decision was vindicated in spectacular fashion by their bowling unit.
The Thai innings never found momentum, crumbling under relentless pressure to be restricted to a meagre 69 runs from their 20 overs.
The destroyer-in-chief was seamer Asif Javed, who produced a spell of breathtaking accuracy and guile.
His figures of 4-1-5-3 strangled the life out of the Thai middle order, earning him well-deserved accolades as the Player of the Match.
Javed was ably supported by spinner Abdul Majid Abbasi (2/11) and Muhammad Salman (1/8), who maintained a miserly grip on the scoring rate.
For Thailand, only Phanuphong Thongsa (18 not out) and Nopphon Senamontree (14) managed to reach double figures in a batting card that featured five single-digit scores.
The team’s total of 69 always looked insufficient against a strong Bahraini batting line-up, and the chase was as swift as it was brutal.
Bahrain opener Asif Ali unleashed a ferocious assault, blasting 48 runs from just 24 deliveries – an innings peppered with five fours and four towering sixes.
He single-handedly dismantled the Thai bowlers, reducing the target to a formality.
Despite losing partners at the other end, Ali’s fireworks ensured the match was all but over within the first five overs.
Although he fell just two runs short of a half-century, he completed 1,000 runs in T20i in 37 innings playing for Bahrain.
Fiaz Ahmed (12 not out) and Prashant Kurup (four not out) calmly guided the team home with a massive 54 balls to spare, sealing an emphatic win.
The victory provides Bahrain with a chance in the round-robin tournament.
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