Maldives recorded an emphatic win against Bhutan in the Emerging Nations Cup triangular tournament that started Thursday at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground.
Bhutan managed mere 62 runs in its first-ever-international cricket match and batted for 28.5 overs after being asked to. Maldives surpassed the score in 11.2 overs losing only one wicket of Abdulla Shafeell.
Bhutan, who received ICC’s affiliate membership last year, had tough time facing bowlers of Maldives. None of Bhutanese batsmen could show patient on the crease to reach the double figure.
Bhutan is a newcomer so it was not a real test,- said Maldives national coach Faiz Samad. Samad stressed that his batsmen did not get chance to tune their batting before the match against mighty host, Nepal.
Samad conceded that his bowlers didn’t bowl well as they gave away 26 extra runs.
Bhutan lost their three wickets in the space of nine deliveries without scoring a run after they were reduced to 29 for 2 in 10 overs. Bikash Sharma scored the lone boundary in the innings.
Ahmed Neesham Nazir picked three wickets in four overs for five runs and was adjudged man of the match. Mohamed Mahafooz gave away 17 runs in 5.5 overs notching two wickets. Abdullah Sahid and Ibrahim Shaaz Habeeb each claimed a wicket.
Chasing the target, Maldives lost a wicket after the openers added 41 runs in 6 overs. Dambar Singh Gurung became the first Bhutanese to claim international wicket as Shafeell (14) lofted a simple catch to Tandin Wangchuk. Ahmed Hussain topscored 27 runs including three fours. Mossa Kalim remained unbeaten at 10 off 13 balls.
Nepal will play its first match against Maldives on Friday.