ACC MENS CHALLAENGER CUP 2024
January 27, 2024
CAMBODIA QUALIFY FOR GROUP A OF ACC MEN’S T2O CHALLENGER CUP
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Cambodia beat Myanmar by seven wickets in the first match of the qualifier tournament as the ACC Men’s T20 Challenger Cup started at TCG in Bangkok. Along with China, Cambodia and Myanmar are competing for a place in the main draw and Cambodia now need one more victory to progress.

Cambodia won the toss and elected to field first in the opening match of the ACC Men’s T20 Challenger Cup and they gave an impressive performance as their bowlers restricted Myanmar to 72 for 8 in 20 overs.

Cambodia’s opening bowlers started well with Sharwan bowling a maiden in the first over and six runs coming off three overs and Myanmar made 22 for 2 after the 6 over powerplay. Pyae Phyo Wai hit the first six of the tournament before being caught at backward point off left-arm spinner Utkarsh Jain for a top score of 16.

Myanmar reached 37 for 4 after 10 overs and could not accelerate in the second half of their innings as they were restricted to 72 for 8 in 20 overs after a good all-round bowling display. The opening bowlers bowled with pace and were always threatening and left- arm spinner Utkarsh Jain had the best figures with 3 for 16.

Myanmar could be pleased they batted out the 20 overs especially when they claimed two wickets in the opening over of the Cambodia innings to a run out and caught behind.

Cambodia lost their third wicket at the end of the fourth over with the score on 21 so Myanmar’s opening bowlers were keeping up the pressure but Lugman Butt suddenly hit three fours in the fifth over to take the score to 35.

Lugman Butt who led Cambodia to gold medals in T20 and 50 over cricket in the SEA Games in 2023 hit further boundaries as the Cambodians reached the 50 mark in the 8th over.

Etienne Beukes also hit a four and a six and it was left to Lugman Butt to finish things off with a six as he reached 43° in 29 balls and he was named man of the match having also claimed one wicket for 10 runs, Cambodia won by 7 wickets in 9.1 overs as they made 74 for 3 but they had been given a shock as they lost two wickets in the first over.

The tournament continues tomorrow with Cambodia playing China knowing that another victory would see them win a place in the main tournament.