22 Sep 2013

Botswana cricket national team held off a strong fight from Sri Lanka to win by two runs during the start of the World Group Mini World Cup on Friday night (September 20).

The 13th edition of the competition, played in the T20 version, got off to a bumper start at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval with a thrilling spectacle. Botswana batted first and the partnership between first two batsmen Saad Mohhyuddin and Karabo Motlhanka combined for a total of 62 runs before it was broken.

Sri Lanka claimed a big wicket when Mohd Ifham bowled out Motlhanka in the sixth over and after the loss of Motlhanka’s wicket, Botswana’s run rate reduced and Ifham claimed two more wickets from Mohhyuddin and Karabo Modise in the seventh and ninth overs.

Mohhyuddin was Botswana’s best batsman with 44 runs on the day including a six. Botswana ended their innings with the partnership of Rashaad Mosweu and Thatayaone Tshose pulling the local boys to a tally of 150 runs for six wickets. Sri Lanka chased a target of 151 runs to win the match.

Though they were frustrated by good bowling from Tshose and Modise, they accelerated their runs rate midway through their innings and came close to snatching victory. Mohd Najaz was the best batsman of the match and scored over half a century runs, including hitting two sixes before he was caught and bowled out by Akrum Chand.

The match became interesting when Sri Lanka crossed the 100 runs mark early in their 14th over with eight wickets still intact. Arooz Mohammed and Mohd Mazahir combined to score a good number of runs before they were bowled out. Sri Lanka in the end managed 148 runs for seven wickets at the close of their innings, falling short by just two runs.

The World Group Mini World Cup is organised by Gaborone Cricket Club and features six teams; Botswana, Sri Lanka, India, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Pakistan. It is played in a T20 version for the first time since inception in 1999. It is initially played in a round robin format, then the top four finishers would advance to the semi-finals. Semi-finals will be played on October 18-19 and the final on October 25. Botswana plays India next on September 27. ENDS