Dubai, September 30, 2022 (PPI-OT):Singapore and Hong Kong recorded convincing victories on day two of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Division 2- Asia Qualifier at the Oman Cricket Academy (OCA) grounds in Al Amerat on the outskirts of capital Muscat on Friday.
A strokeful century by Sidhant Srikanth and a half-century by Aaryan Modi powered Singapore to a convincing 155-run win over Qatar while Ahan Trivedi’s five-wicket haul guided Hong Kong to a nine-wicket win over Thailand in Group B opening round matches.
Opting to bat first at the OCA 1 ground, Singapore skipper Jeevan Santhanam’s decision seemed to have backfired. Qatar bowlers met with early success as Singapore lost Santhanam and Vihaan Maheshwari with the total at 17. Pratham Somani (16) and Abhuday Chhajer (29) tried to rebuild the innings but by the 20th over were back in the pavilion.
It was Srikanth who then got the team firmly back on track as he first shared a 63-run fifth wicket stand with Pranav Maheshwari (23).
After Pranav’s exit, Srikanth found an able ally in Aaryan Modi and both the batters sent the Qatar bowlers on a leather hunt as they smashed them all around the park to share a 133-run sixth-wicket partnership.
Modi’s 41-ball 53 knock ended when he was run out and Srikanth in an effort to accelerate departed soon after for a 117-ball 122 with the total at 289. His inning was studded with eight boundaries and a maximum. Singapore managed to cross the 300-run mark in the penultimate over and finished their innings at 310/9.
For Qatar, Aryan Ramesh Surani and Riyan Khan took three wickets each.
Chasing a formidable target, Qatar’s opener Anantha Madhavan started on a positive note, slamming three boundaries but his knock was brief and his 10-ball 13 ended when he was caught by Aaryan Menon off his own bowling in the third over. Qatar suffered a double blow in the seventh over when Aryaveer Chaudhary sent back Jayden Fernando and Hetul Patel to leave them at 27/3. At the innings’ halfway stage, Singapore had a firm grip on the match with Qatar down to 74/5.
The team’s hopes were all but over when Taha Shahbaz was caught by Chaudhary off Santhanam in the 40th over for a 100-ball 77 and the team’s total at 144/7. With the target beyond reach for the tailenders, Qatar was bowled out for 155 in 42.1 overs.
Santhanam was the pick of bowlers with 4/16 while Chaudhary claimed two wickets. Pranav, Menon and Adwitya Bhargava bagged a wicket each.
Man of the match Srikanth said: “I’m very pleased with the way we dominated the game in all aspects. A plan was given to us by our coaches and we stuck to it.
“It is nice to see our team gel well and adjust to the conditions well. Our early arrival in Muscat certainly helped us.”
On his century, he said: “I’m very much looking forward to contributing with more runs and with the same intent in the games ahead.”
Allround display by Hong Kong
Hong Kong raced to victory, backed by an all-round display at the OCA 2 ground.
Captain Trivedi’s call to bowl first after winning the toss was justified as the Thai batters failed to counter the strong rival bowling attack.
Right-arm off-spinner Trivedi led from the front as Thailand were skittled out for 89 in 27.2 overs.
Trivedi was the most successful bowler, picking up 5/30 in his nine overs and was ably assisted by Parth Bhagwat (2/10). Darsh Vora, Mudassar Khan and Aarush Garg took a wicket apiece.
Thailand captain Chalermwong Chatphaisan was the top run-getter with 25 while Danuphon Fuangyotpinit (12) and Thanadon Buri (14) were the only other batters with scores in double digits. Thailand lost their opener Jirasak Pakhiaokajee for a duck in the very first over and by the 10th over they were struggling at 37/3. Chatphaisan departed next in the 12th over with the total reading only 41/4.
Trivedi continued to trouble the middle and lower order and struck at regular intervals as Thailand innings folded for 89.
Hong Kong strolled to victory with opening batters, Jayden Botfield and Daksh Mangkukia, sharing a 68-run stand to put them on course for a massive win.
After Botfield’s departure for a 50-ball 35, Hong Kong needed 17 more deliveries to achieve victory as they scored 92/1 in 19.1 overs with Mudassar Khan (19) completing the victory in style with a six. Mangkukia stayed unbeaten for a well-compiled 51-ball 33.
Ahan Trivedi, Hong Kong skipper and man of the match, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the way the boys turned up today. We believe in such games where we dominate the opposition in all departments.
“I am happy to lead the team from the front and hope we continue the same ahead in the tournament.”
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