Doha: Abdul Waheed’s maiden T20I century was not enough to steer Saudi Arabia to victory as they suffered a heartbreaking three-run defeat against Bahrain in their opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier B in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday.
Waheed showcased a stunning solo effort, scoring 110 runs off 63 balls, including eight fours and seven sixes. Despite his brilliance, Saudi Arabia fell just short, ending at 185-9 while chasing Bahrain’s total of 188-5.
Thrilling Last Over: Needing 11 runs off the final over, Waheed kept Saudi Arabia in the hunt. After a single from Usman Najeeb brought Waheed back on strike, he ran a couple on the second ball but struggled to score off the next two deliveries. With eight required off two balls, Waheed hit a boundary to keep hopes alive. However, on the last delivery, his attempt to clear the long-on boundary fell short, and Bahrain secured a dramatic victory.
Imran Anwar, who bowled the final over, held his nerve under pressure and finished with two crucial wickets, including Waheed’s.
Bahrain’s Innings Led by Haider Ali: Earlier, Bahrain opted to bat first and posted an impressive 188-5, with skipper Haider Ali leading the charge. Ali remained unbeaten on 67 off 51 balls, striking six boundaries and two sixes. He was well supported by Imran Anwar, who contributed 53 off 35 balls, including four sixes.
The duo shared a 95-run stand for the fourth wicket, taking Bahrain to a competitive total. Ishtiaq Ahmad and Usman Najeeb claimed two wickets apiece for Saudi Arabia, but the bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught in the middle overs.
Lone Warrior in the Chase: Saudi Arabia’s chase revolved entirely around Waheed, as wickets tumbled at regular intervals. Vice-captain Abdul Manan Ali provided some support with 25 runs, but no other batter managed to stay long enough to ease the pressure on Waheed.
Despite the setbacks, Waheed carried the team deep into the innings, reaching his century in the 18th over. His innings highlighted not only his power-hitting but also his composure under pressure.
Speaking after the match, Waheed expressed disappointment over the result but remained optimistic about the team’s future. “Individual scores don’t mean much if the team doesn’t win. I would gladly trade my century for a victory. We were close, but unfortunately, we couldn’t execute our plans in the last few overs,” he said.
Learning Lessons: Waheed also reflected on the need for better support from the middle order. “The team needs to back a set batter in the middle. If I’m in a similar situation again, I’ll aim to finish the game earlier to avoid such pressure situations,” he added.
Despite the defeat, Waheed believes the team has the potential to bounce back. “We have a talented squad with depth in batting. Many of the players are new, and this match was a valuable learning experience. We’re confident about turning things around in the upcoming matches,” he said.
Next Steps: Saudi Arabia faces the UAE in their next match on Wednesday. Waheed remains hopeful, describing the game as a crucial opportunity. “We have prepared well and know what’s at stake. A win against the UAE could open doors for us in the tournament,” he remarked.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier B features seven teams, including hosts Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bhutan, Cambodia, Thailand, and the UAE. The top two teams will advance to the regional finals, serving as a pathway to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Group Standings and Pathway: Malaysia and Kuwait have already secured spots in the regional finals from the Asia Group A qualifier. Teams like Samoa, Japan, Nepal, Oman, and Papua New Guinea are also in the running from other regions, with Saudi Arabia aiming to join them in the global showpiece event.
While the loss against Bahrain was a setback, Waheed’s exceptional performance and Saudi Arabia’s fighting spirit have set the stage for an exciting campaign ahead.
