Bangi – Kuwait delivered a clinical performance to overpower Maldives by 142 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier A at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, Bangi. Usman Patel starred for Kuwait with a scintillating century, guiding his team to an imposing total before their bowlers sealed a comprehensive victory, limiting Maldives to just 84 runs in their chase.
Kuwait Sets Mammoth Target on the Back of Usman Patel’s Record-Breaking Century
After being put into bat by Maldives, Kuwait faced early setbacks, losing two wickets within the first four overs. However, Usman Patel took control of the innings, anchoring the Kuwaiti batting effort with an explosive 111* off just 52 balls. His knock, which included 9 fours and 6 sixes, set a new record for the highest individual score in T20Is for Kuwait, surpassing Ravija Sandaruwan’s previous record of 103.
Patel found support from Clinto Anto, who contributed 40 off 25 balls, and later from captain Mohammed Aslam (32 off 22 balls) and Muhammad Umar (30* off 12 balls), allowing Kuwait to post a formidable 226/4 in their 20 overs. Maldives’ bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, with Ibrahim Hassan being the pick of the bowlers, taking 2/28 in his three overs.
Maldives Crumble in Chase as Kuwait’s Bowlers Dominate
Facing a daunting target of 227, Maldives crumbled under the pressure. The only highlight of their innings was a brief cameo from Umar Adam, who scored a brisk 27 off 13 balls. However, his efforts were in vain as wickets tumbled at regular intervals, with Kuwait’s bowlers proving too strong.
Yasin Patel led the bowling attack with a superb spell, claiming 3/18 in his four overs. He was well-supported by Mohammed Aslam (2/25) and Shiraz Khan (1/10), who kept the Maldives’ batsmen on the back foot throughout the innings. Maldives could only manage 84/7 in their 20 overs, handing Kuwait a comprehensive 142-run victory.
Key Records and Milestones:
- Highest Individual Score in T20Is for Kuwait: Usman Patel’s unbeaten 111 set a new benchmark, surpassing the previous record held by Ravija Sandaruwan.
- Most Catches in T20Is for Kuwait: Bilal Tahir broke the record for the most catches by a fielder for Kuwait in T20Is, with his 20th catch, surpassing Yasin Patel’s previous record of 18.
- Highest Match Aggregate Between Kuwait & Maldives in T20Is: The match saw the highest combined total in T20Is involving these two teams, with 310 runs scored.
Brief Scores:
Kuwait: 226/4 in 20 overs (Usman Patel 111*, Clinto Anto 40, Ibrahim Hassan 2/28)
Maldives: 84/7 in 20 overs (Umar Adam 27, Yasin Patel 3/18, Mohammed Aslam 2/25)
Result: Kuwait won by 142 runs
Player of the Match: Usman Patel (Kuwait)
Kuwait’s dominant performance in both batting and bowling reflects their strength in the tournament, and they will be looking to carry this momentum forward as they aim for a spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
