Japan and Saudi Arabia move to top of tables in ACC Men's Challenger Cup

Japan defeated Maldives by 42 runs in the ACC Men’s Challenger Cup 2024 on February 4 while Thailand and Cambodia also registered wins over Singapore and Indonesia respectively at the TerdThai Cricket Ground in Bangkok.

The win helped Japan, who have been recently admitted as member of Asian Cricket Council, move to the top of Group B and also enabled Thailand and Cambodia to register their first points in the competition.

Japan made 150/8 batting first with Saboarish Ravichandran and Declan Suzuki Mccomb top-scoring with 26 each. In response, Maldives were bowled out for 108 in 18.4 overs. Umar Adnan Nasif top-scored with 40.

Leg-spinner Makoto Taniyamna was the top wicket-taker with 3/12.

In another game, Thailand defeated Singapore by seven wickets with Chaloemwong Chatpaisan top-scoring with 70 off 53 balls. Singapore had made 115/9 in 20 overs with Avi Dixit, who also took two Thai wickets, top-scoring with 23. Thailand reached the target in 18.1 overs.

In matches played on February 3, Cambodia beat Indonesia by six wickets and Saudi Arabia beat Bhutan by eight wickets. Indonesia made 127/7 in 20 overs and in response, Cambodia reached the target in 19.2 overs, ending at 132/4, with captain Lugman Butt top-scoring with 52.

Batting first, Bhutan were bowled out for 89 in 18.5 overs as Khalid took 4/6 in two overs. The Saudis reached the target in 11 overs, losing just two wickets. Openers Abdul Manan Ali (40 off 19) and Haseeb Ghafoor (47 off 40 balls) added 77 for the first wicket. Saudi Arabia lead Group A. 

Cricket, ACC, Asian Cricket Council, T20, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia