Singapore’s Under-16 cricketers placed themselves at the top of Group B following their seven-wicket win over Bhutan U-16 on December 12 in the Asian Cricket Council U-16 Eastern Region tournament in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
They now have four points, having also beaten Malaysia U-16 by 29 runs in their tournament opener. Malaysia U-16 and China U-16 lie second and third respectively with two points each.
At the Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club ground, Singapore U-16 decided to field after winning the toss, and restricted Bhutan to 66-9 in 35 overs.
Only Bhutan U-16’s Thongdrel Rabgyal (15 not out from 69 balls) reached double figures as all the eight bowlers that Singapore U-16 captain Aman Desai employed bowled a tight line and length.
Leg-spinner Aryan Berry (photo), the man of the match, did the most damage, claiming 4-15 from seven overs. Medium-pacer Pranav Sudarshan also had 2-7 from six overs. The most economical figures were produced by Ishaan Sawney, 5-3-3-0.
For the second match in a row, opener Aman got out cheaply, caught off the first ball he faced for a duck. The other opener, Sai Harsha Venugopal, then got run out for eight, leaving Singapore U-16s on 20-2 after 3.4 overs.
Ishaan (25 not out/24) and Pramesh Singhavi (22/25, including two sixes) then quickly reeled off the runs as Singapore U-16 reached 67-3 in 10.1 overs.
“It was a straightforward win,” said Singapore U-16s coach Chetan Suryawanshi. “Our bowlers really bowled well, especially Aryan and Pranav. Then Ishaan and Pramesh batted really well to carry the innings through.”
After a day’s rest, Singapore’s U-16s play China U-16s in their final Group B match on December 14.
Other scores on December 12:
Group B
* China U-16 84 all out in 28.5 overs. Malaysia U-16 88-6 in 18.4 overs. Malaysia U-16 won by six wickets.
Group A
* Myanmar U-16 73 all out in 30.3 overs. Thailand U-16 74-4 in 13.3 overs. Thailand U-16 won by six wickets.
* Hong Kong U-16 82-9 in 35 overs. Nepal U-16 84-6 in 24.1 overs. Nepal U-16 won by four wickets.
* Nepal U-16 top Group B with four points, Hong Kong U-16 and Thailand U-16 lie second and third respectively with two points each.
