KUWAIT BEAT BHUTAN BEFORE TORRENTIAL RAIN BRINGS DAY THREE TO A CLOSE
An incredible storm with heavy rain, deafening thunder and bright flashes of lightning saw players and officials running for cover and the inevitable early end of the afternoon match between Hong Kong, China and Bahrain at TCG. The match was abandoned before 3.00 pm after the teams had come off the field after 13 minutes play with Bahrain on 15 for 0 after 4 overs.
The schedule of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier had been amended so that all the double-headers will be played at TCG for the next four days but the rain was so heavy it would have prevented any plan put in place. The match between Malaysia and Qatar which was moved to the afternoon at AIT was abandoned without a ball bowled but at least a morning match reduced to 13 overs aside was possible at TCG between Kuwait and Bhutan and the Kuwatis won by the convincing margin of 35 runs thanks to an excellent innings from Priyada Murali.
Priyada Murali of Kuwait with Player of the Match award during the post match presentation of the match 7 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier between Kuwait Women and Bhutan Women held at the Terdthai Cricket Ground, Bangkok on the 12th May 2025.
Photo by Anshuman Akash / CREIMAS
Bhutan won the toss and chose to bowl first but Kuwait’s openers batted well with Priyada Murali leading the way. Zeefa Jilani helped her add 47 before she was caught behind for 16 off the last ball of the eighth over. The fifty came up in the ninth over and Kuwait had reached 59 for 2 after 10 overs with Murali on 32.
Murali was out caught at point for a well-made 36 from 29 balls with 4 fours and she was the main reason Kuwait were on the way to a good score in a match reduced to 13 overs aside. Without Maryam Omar in the side today as she had travelled back home to spend time with her child Kuwait could be well pleased with a final total of 85 for 3.
Kuwait opened with spin at both ends and tied down the Bhutan batters. Amna Tariq bowled Tshering Zangmo for 3 from 12 balls and Bhutan only made 10 for 1 in the 4-over powerplay.
Dechen Wangmo is an experienced player and looked to be more positive but she was bowled by Maria Jasvi’s medium pace for 5 from 9 balls and after five overs Bhutan were well behind on DLS comparison
Bhutan continued to struggle against the accurate Kuwait bowlers as the batters failed to hit a boundary in the first seven overs. The pressure to score finally told as Karma Dema tried to come down the wicket to Maria Jasvi only to be stumped.
Zeefa Jilani took the fourth Bhutan wicket in the ninth over with the score on 27 and Kuwait were in complete control as Bhutan scored only 31 from 10 overs.
Ngawang Choden top scored with 16 and hit the only four of the innings before being run out by a fine throw from the boundary as Bhutan finished on 50 for 6 with another run out from the last ball of the innings.
Kuwait won by 35 runs as Maria Jasvi took 2 for 9 and Priyada Murali was named player of the match for her 36. Kuwait now have two points and are in second place behind Thailand in Group A. The afternoon game at TCG got underway on time at 1330 but rain intervened after 13 minutes with Bahrain 15 for 0 after 4 overs. An hour later the storm came through that left the ground completely under water.