Victory for Cyprus Women, close finishes in Men’s T20 League

By Richard Boxall

The Cyprus women’s cricket team travelled to Serbia over the weekend to play four T20 internationals, but due to rainy weather only the first two were played, both resulting in wins for Cyprus which will boost the country’s ranking with the International Cricket Council.

The T20 matches were preceded by two warm-up 10-over matches which Cyprus also won, making the trip as successful as it could be in the inclement weather conditions. The team was captained by Iresha Chathurani under the guidance of coach Andy Crawford and manager Muhammad Husain, who was full of appreciation for the hospitality shown by the Serbian hosts.

Serbia Women 83-6 lost to Cyprus Women 84-3 by 7 wickets

In the first game, played at the Lisicji Jarak Cricket Ground in Belgrade, Cyprus put their hosts in to bat and restricted them to 83-6 from their 20 overs. Nilmini took two wickets, while Dinelka, Chathurangi, Ayesha, Alexandra and Iresha all bowled economically.

The Cyprus reply was led by Tanuja (26) with support from Alexandra (15 not out) as the target was reached in the 18th over.

Cyprus Women 90 beat Serbia Women 68-6 by 22 runs

Cyprus won the toss again in the second match and this time decided to bat first. Only Ayesha with 17 reached double figures but most batters chipped in and a total of 90 all out was reached in the 18th over.

Serbia struggled to score quickly enough against the Cyprus bowling attack, in which Dinelka and Alexandra took two wickets each. Ayesha and Chathurangi also gave little away, but the tightest bowling came from skipper Iresha who conceded only 7 runs from her 4 overs, as Serbia were restricted to 68-6, leaving Cyprus winners by 22 runs.

The Cyprus team will have benefitted from the experience of playing international cricket, and did well to play successfully in unaccustomed cool, wet conditions. It is hoped that their success will lead to a further increase in interest in the women’s game on the island.

Meanwhile the weekend’s domestic action in the men’s T20 league provided a number of close finishes as the group stage begins to take shape.

Moufflons 111 beat Black Caps 103 by 8 runs

The meeting of the two favourites in group C went narrowly in favour of Moufflons, who beat Black Caps by just 8 runs. Moufflons’ opener Roman continued his good form with 53 from 34 balls, but received little support in the face of Pintu (5-10) and Karan (3-23), as the innings fell away to 111 all out.

Black Caps started confidently with a 41-run partnership between Pawandeep (29) and Karan, followed by useful knocks by Bhupinder and Lovedeep, and they were well ahead of the required run rate, but losing wickets at regular intervals.

At the end of the tenth over Sujith started a decisive contribution by taking a catch in the deep. The next over was entrusted to him and he took a wicket. Next over he held another catch to remove Lovedeep, then he took another wicket in the next over. On the next ball Lakhwinder, who had himself taken two catches, ran out the last man to give Moufflons a close and important win.

Al Fatah 100 lost to Sri Lanka Lions 102-7 by 3 wickets

A key game in group D pitted last season’s champions Al Fatah against the always-strong Sri Lanka Lions. Al Fatah batted first but struggled to post a decent total, with only Abubaqar (31) making a good score. Sadesh took 2-12 from 4 overs and Sadun picked up three cheap tailend wickets, as Al Fatah just managed to reach three figures.

The Lions also found runs hard to come by, slipping to 49-6 as Umar (3-16) and Osama (3-24) kept them in check. Coming in at number 6, Srinath produced a match-winning innings of 47 not out from 34 balls, seeing his team home with just three wickets in hand.

BFC 96 lost to Lankan SC 100-1 by 9 wickets

The match between British Forces in Cyprus and Lankan Sports Club was virtually decided in the opening four-over spell of Lankan spinner Ruwan, who took 4-28 including the key wickets of Burdekin and Serieux, despite the latter smashing him for three boundaries in four balls on his way to a rapid 28. The same score was achieved by Scott, but the damage had been done and BFC managed only 96 all out.

Lankan SC knocked the runs off in just 11 overs, with 52 in 29 balls by captain Tharanga and 29 not out by Suresh, leaving them as the early leaders of group B.

Kipro Tigers of Limassol 35 lost to Napa Kings 36-0 by 10 wickets

Napa Kings made it three wins from three games in group A, demolishing Kipro Tigers without mercy. Ikram, normally better known as a batsman, had the incredible figures of 6-11 as the Tigers were dismissed for 35 inside 11 overs.

It took less than 5 overs for the Kings to pass this score, with Barinder making 20 not out.

Amdocs 153-3 beat Nicosia Fighters 142 by 11 runs

The day’s highest scoring game was also a close one, as Amdocs beat Nicosia Fighters by 11 runs in group B. Preetaj batted through the Amdocs innings to score 60, with good support from Gaurav (27) and Chaitas (34 not out) as a total of 153-3 was reached.

The Fighters slipped to 38-4 after 7 overs before their hopes were revived by a 78-run partnership by Sarjidul (36) and Sarpreet (28). However once they were parted the innings subsided to 142 all out in the face of 4-21 by Gaurav and 3-32 by Harish.