In a stunning turn of events, Qatar registered their first victory of the Gulf Cricket T20I Championship, beating Bahrain by six wickets in Match 14 at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
The match, which had high stakes for Bahrain, who needed a significant win to stand a chance of qualifying for the final based on net run rate, ended in disappointment for the island nation as they were dismissed for just 98 runs.
After Qatar won the toss and elected to field, their bowlers dominated, restricting Bahrain to a paltry total of 98 in just 16.3 overs. Bahrain’s top-order collapsed quickly, with only captain Haider Butt (27) and Ahmer Bin Nasir (18) managing to reach double figures. The rest of the batting lineup failed to contribute, as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.
Muhammad Asim was the standout performer with the ball, claiming remarkable figures of 2/1 from just 0.3 overs, including the key scalp of Abdul Majid. Muhammad Jabir (2/16) and Himanshu Rathod (1/25) also played pivotal roles in dismantling the Bahrain batting lineup.
Qatar’s chase began steadily, though the team did lose wickets in quick succession. The departure of opener Saqlain Arshad (31) and captain Mohammed Rizlan (3) left Qatar at 46/2, but a solid partnership between Muhammad Asim (36 not out) and Muhammad Ikramullah (12 not out) ensured that the target was within reach. Asim’s composed knock included five boundaries, and with Ikramullah offering steady support, Qatar reached the target of 99 in just 17 overs.
Bahrain’s bowlers, particularly Sai Sarthak, who took three wickets for just nine runs, put up a valiant fight, but it was too little, too late. The chasing team maintained a required run rate of six runs per over throughout their innings, ensuring that the win was secured without much trouble.
Muhammad Asim’s all-round performance was the highlight of the match. He took two crucial wickets with the ball, including two in the final overs to end Bahrain’s hopes, and followed it up with a composed 36 not out with the bat, guiding Qatar home. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award, a fitting recognition of his contribution to Qatar’s maiden win in the tournament.
Despite the defeat, Bahrain found some silver linings in the performance of their players. Team manager Adil Ahmed Surve highlighted the emergence of Sai Sarthak as a promising all-rounder, showcasing his potential with both bat and ball. Additionally, Muhammad Basil, making his debut in this match, was identified as a talent to watch for the future.
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