Bermuda Beat Saudi Arabia By Four Runs
Bermuda claimed their first victory in the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League Play-off today [February 25] after holding their nerve to beat Saudi Arabia by four runs at the Selangor Turf Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
It was a crucial win for Bermuda, who lost their opening group A match by 157 runs against Italy, with the nail-biting victory over Saudi Arabia ending a losing streak in the 50-over format that lasted 16 games.
They remain bottom of group A because of their net run-rate and must beat Kuwait in their final group match tomorrow to advance to the Super Six stage of the competition.
Bermuda won the toss and scored 227 from 44.3 overs, with captain Delray Rawlins top-scoring with 75 runs, including three fours and four sixes, from 95 balls.
Dominic Sabir also impressed with the bat, hitting 51, including five fours and one six, off 45 balls.
Opener Terryn Fray continued his impressive form, having scored 73 against Italy, with a valuable 29, and Kamau Leverock added 24.
Usman Najeeb and Zain Ul Abidin both claimed three wickets for Saudi Arabia.
In reply, Saudi Arabia scored 223 off 49.4 overs, with captain Hisham Shaikh top-scoring with 45 and Waji Ul Hussan hitting 41.
Sabir, the play of the match, was the pick of Bermuda’s bowlers, claiming three for 33 off his allotted ten overs.
Seam bowler Leverock and slow left-armer Derrick Brangman took two wickets each.
Saudi Arabia needed just seven to win off the final over but only had one wicket remaining.
Ishtiaq Ahmad was the last wicket to fall after getting run out attempting a second run, with Allan Douglas Jr whipping off the bails off at the bowler’s end to secure the win for Bermuda.
