By TN Media News | Doha
Faisal Khan Shines in Saudi Arabia’s Win:
Saudi Arabia secured a commanding five-wicket win over Cambodia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier. Faisal Khan starred with a dazzling maiden T20I century, scoring 101 off just 42 balls. This victory marks Saudi Arabia’s second consecutive win in the tournament, boosting their hopes for qualification.
Saudi Arabia chased down Cambodia’s target of 162 runs comfortably, finishing with 28 balls to spare. Faisal’s innings included six fours and 10 sixes, making it one of the tournament’s most memorable performances.
Dynamic Opening Partnership:
Faisal and his elder brother, Abdul Waheed, formed an explosive 116-run opening partnership in just 9.5 overs. Abdul contributed 34 runs before being stumped. Faisal reached his century with a towering six but was dismissed soon after.
Reflecting on the partnership, Faisal said, “It would have been more special to share the moment with my brother. His presence always gives me confidence.” Abdul, who also scored a century earlier in the tournament, called it a proud moment for Saudi cricket.
Cambodia’s Solid but Insufficient Total:
Batting first at the University of Doha for Science and Technology ground, Cambodia posted 161 for 6. Lakshit Gupta top-scored with 62 runs, supported by Luqman Butt and Uday Hathinjar. However, Saudi Arabia’s disciplined bowling, led by Ishtiaq Ahmad and Usman Najeeb with two wickets each, curtailed Cambodia’s momentum.
Saudi Arabia’s Road to Qualification:
Saudi Arabia has now won three consecutive matches after losing their first two games to Bahrain and the UAE. They stand fourth on the points table with four points, behind Thailand, Qatar, and the UAE.
Faisal described the upcoming matches as “two finals” for Saudi Arabia. The team will face Thailand next, followed by a potential decider against hosts Qatar. “A win is the only result that will keep us in contention,” Faisal said.
Building Cricket’s Future in the Kingdom:
Faisal emphasized the tournament’s importance beyond just winning. “Advancing will bring better training facilities and international exposure. This is about building cricket’s future in Saudi Arabia,” he stated.
The top two teams from this qualifier will progress to the regional finals, moving closer to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Saudi Arabia’s strong performances, led by Faisal and Abdul, position them as serious contenders.
Looking Ahead:
The regional finals will feature teams like Malaysia, Kuwait, Samoa, Japan, Nepal, Oman, and Papua New Guinea. Saudi Arabia is determined to join this elite group, signaling a promising future for cricket in the Kingdom.
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