In the opening match of the KCC T20I Tri Nations Cup 2024 organized by Kuwait Cricket & hosted by Malaysia Cricket as commercial partners, Kuwait triumphed over Hong Kong by 4 wickets, chasing down a target of 169 with seven balls to spare.
Nizakat Khan played a pivotal role for Hong Kong, scoring a quick 57 off 35 balls, supported by Babar Hayat’s explosive 41. However, Adnan Idrees’s Game Changing 3-wicket haul restricted Hong Kong to 168/8.
Kuwait’s chase was not without its challenges, as they lost 2 early wickets but also managed to put runs in the powerplay. However, swashbuckling opening batsman Clinto Anto (33 off 25) and middle order batsman Meet Bhavsar (30 off 23) steadied the ship with important contributions, keeping Kuwait in the hunt.
The match’s defining moment came from Bilal Tahir Khan & his cousin brother, the debutant Omar Khan, who had a match winning partnership of 57 runs when Kuwait was reeling at 98/5 chasing 169 runs to win.
Bilal played a composed and unbeaten knock of 36 off 23 balls. His innings, marked by timely Fours & sixes and intelligent running between the wickets, ensured that Kuwait crossed the finish line with seven balls to spare. He was equally well supported by Omar Khan who scored 20 with a mighty six.
For Hong Kong, Ehsan Khan was the pick of the bowlers, delivering an economical spell and claiming 2 wickets, including the crucial scalp of Meet Bhavsar. His disciplined bowling created pressure, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough to prevent Kuwait from securing the win. The match highlighted the importance of key players like Adnan Idrees , Meet Bhavsar , Clinto Anto & Bilal Tahir for Kuwait and set the tone for what promises to be an exciting tournament ahead.
