RIYADH: Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation Chairman Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud has expressed his delight at seeing the Kingdom’s national team win their first international trophy since the SACF’s formation in 2020.
Last Sunday, Saudi Arabia won the inaugural ACC Men’s Challenger Cup 2023 in Bangkok, beating Bahrain by 10 wickets in just four overs.
The men in green maintained a perfect record of five wins from five matches in the tournament.
“It’s our first win as a federation since we were established more than two years ago, and that would’ve never happened without the endless support of our government, the Ministry of Sports, the Olympic Committee and all regional associations,” said Prince Saud in an exclusive interview with Arab News after returning from Bangkok. “They honestly made our job easier to perform and reach this point.”
When asked if a professional cricket league system in the Kingdom is on the cards, he replied: “As we know, Saudi Arabia is the biggest country in the region with the biggest number of teams and players. So there will be leagues on all levels, not just one league.
“And to answer that question precisely, we’ve developed throughout our time in the federation great relationships with the International Cricket Council, the global governing body of cricket, and the Asian Cricket Council, the organization that promotes and develops the sport of cricket in Asia, as well as some successful international cricket boards and big cricketers globally.”
High-profile figures form the world of cricket have offered their expertise and backing for cricket in the Kingdom.
“And then we hired experts to help us develop a model of a league that engages Saudi club brands along with all regional associations,” said Prince Saud.
“Of course, a lot of infrastructure and development are required, but we’ll announce when it’s time.”
Outlining his vision for the sport — including producing a competitive international team in Saudi Arabia — and his ambitions for domestic and international cricket over the coming years, he said: “Our aim is to create a sustainable industry for locals and expats living in the Kingdom and make Saudi Arabia a global cricketing destination.”
The Saudi team’s comprehensive victory in the ACC Men’s Challenger Cup in Thailand came in a 50-over one-day international competition.
The Challenger Cup is the first staging post in the ACC’s restructured three-tier pathway toward the Asia Cup 2023 to be hosted by Pakistan.
It was composed of eight teams divided into two groups, and was designed to provide increased opportunities for a larger number of its members to display their talents.
The Saudi cricket team will now play the first edition of the 2023 ACC Men’s Premier Cup in Nepal, a tournament that provides a qualification pathway toward the Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan.
‘Our aim is to make Saudi Arabia a global cricketing destination’: SACF chairman
https://arab.news/2gxtv
‘Our aim is to make Saudi Arabia a global cricketing destination’: SACF chairman
- Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud expresses joy at Kingdom’s triumph at ACC Men’s Challenger Cup 2023
Shepherd stars as MI Emirates edge Sharjah Warriorz in 4-run thriller
SHARJAH: MI Emirates held their nerve in a tense finish to claim a four-run victory in the ILT20 over the Sharjah Warriorz at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday, with Romario Shepherd delivering a decisive all-round performance to seal the result.
After being put in to bat, MI Emirates posted a competitive 185, built on contributions throughout the innings and a late onslaught from Shepherd.
UAE international Muhammad Waseem led the scoring with 39 off 29 deliveries, striking two fours and two sixes, while Tom Banton added a vital 32 from 21 balls. Shepherd provided the finishing touch, blasting an unbeaten 31 off just 10 balls, including four sixes, to propel his side to a strong total. For the Warriorz, Adil Rashid impressed with figures of 3 for 32.
MI Emirates began cautiously, with Jonny Bairstow (37 off 24) striking their first six only in the third over. That shot sparked early momentum as the side reached 49 without loss at the end of the power play, but Junaid Siddique halted the progress by dismissing Bairstow immediately after.
Waseem continued to keep the scoreboard ticking before Rashid shifted the balance, removing Nicholas Pooran for 5 and then dismissing Waseem two balls later. At 119-3 after 15 overs, MI Emirates required a strong finish, which Banton helped provide with a composed innings before Shakib Al Hasan (16 off 12) was retired out to allow skipper Kieron Pollard to accelerate.
Although Pollard’s stay was brief, US batter Tajinder Singh (17 off 8) struck Rashid for two sixes late on, before Shepherd took control at the death, clearing the ropes twice in the final over to lift MI Emirates to 185.
In reply, the Warriorz began positively, with Johnson Charles striking three boundaries in his 15 off 13 balls. However, Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi made crucial early inroads, reducing the hosts to 48-3 at the end of the power play.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore then led the recovery alongside Sikander Raza, who played the aggressor’s role with an explosive half-century off just 26 balls, bringing it up with a six off Shepherd. The pair added 103 runs in 59 balls to swing momentum firmly in the Warriorz’ favor.
MI Emirates clawed their way back into the contest through Allah Ghazanfar, who removed Raza and then struck again with the very next delivery to bowl Dwaine Pretorius, delivering a pivotal two-wicket maiden. Although Kohler-Cadmore went on to reach his 50 off 40 balls, his dismissal in the penultimate over left the Warriorz needing 21 from the final two overs.
Shepherd then produced a superb final over under pressure, sealing victory with disciplined death bowling to hand MI Emirates their first win of the season.
Speaking after the match, MI Emirates captain Pollard said he was pleased.
“Cricket is a game of uncertainties, if you fight till the end, anything can happen. Full credit to the players for staying in the contest,” he said.
“Losing wickets close together slowed us down and although we tried to rebuild, they bowled well. Romario Shepherd’s late surge gave us crucial momentum heading into the second half.
“Before the final ball, I told him not to change anything from what he had done in the first five deliveries. The two wickets in Ghazanfar’s over proved to be the turning point for us.”
Sharjah Warriorz skipper Tim Southee was in reflective mood after the defeat.
“Both sides were in the game throughout and the partnership between Kohler-Cadmore and Raza was outstanding, but we fell short in the end,” he said.
“Our bowling was an improvement from the other night, though as a unit we know we can be better. The day game was always going to be different and while we handled it better, there is still room to improve.
“Ideally, you want someone set at the end of a chase, but as a bowling side, if you keep taking wickets, you stay in the contest until the last over, credit to them. As for Karthik’s injury, I’m not sure yet, I haven’t seen him.”
