15 November, 2022
Canada marched to the top of the 2022 Desert Cup Points Table with a perfect record of two wins from as many matches played after a most comfortable second match victory over Saudi Arabia. The Canadians posted first strike total of 194/5-20 overs proved to be too high a desert mountain to climb for Saudi Arabia’s floundering batsmen. The Saudis could only manage 128/8 by the end of their 20 overs to give Canada the win by the very comfortable margin of 66 runs.
Having lost the toss and been invited to bat, the Canadians got off to a flying start with its changed opening-pair of Aaron Johnson and Srimantha Wijeyeratne posting 60 for the first wicket in just 5.5 overs. Wijeyeratne’s was the first Canadian wicket to fall, lbw to Usman Najeed for 34, made off 21 balls and including one six as well as 6 fours.
At the other end, Aaron Johnson was even more aggressive striking a 52 ball 84 for his second half-century in as many innings. Johnson’s 84 included six sixes and as many boundaries. Pargat Singh 26 (27) was the only other contributor of note to the Canadian innings, as first-match hero skipper Saad Bin Zafar fell for a second ball one. Harsh Thaker was, however, again unbeaten in scoring 15 not out off just six balls with one six and a four included.
For Saudi Arabia Muhammad Sagib 2/37-3 was the main wicket-taker.
Chasing an imposing 195 to win in twenty overs. Saudi Arabia never recovered from the third ball loss of opener Faisal Khan without scoring and with the team’s total at 1/1-1.3. Wickets fell at fairly regular intervals thereafter, as the required run rate climbed steadily in the face of some very economical Canadian bowling. Haseeb Ghafoor 36 and Mohammed Hish 29 were the only contributors of note to the Saudi Arabian innings which ended in the twentieth over on 128/8.
Ravi Singh 2/10-2, Kaleem Rana 2/11-2 and Dilon Heyliger 2/22-4 were all double wicket-takers. Harsh Thaker 1/13-2 and skipper Bin Zafar 1/26-4 were also among the wicket-takers.
Summarized Scores:
Canada 194/5, Aaron Johnson 80 (52), Srimantha Wijeratne 34 (21), Pargat Singh 27 (26), Muhammad Sagib 2/37-3.
Saudi Arabia 128/8-20. Haseeb Gafoor 36 (33), Mohammed Hish 29 (31). Ravi Singh 2/10-2. Kaleem Sana 2/11-2, Dilon Heyliger 2/22-4.
Canada won by 66 runs.
