Black Caps start Super-6’s in style, while Cyprus prepare for action

By Richard Boxall

The 2022 CCA #BAOGroup T20 Cup has reached the Super-6 stage, where the top two teams from each of the three groups play each other over the coming weeks, with the top two then advancing to the final in September.

The first match pitted Black Caps, winners of Group A, against the runners-up from Group C, Napa Kings, and, true to form, it was the Black Caps who prevailed by 71 runs at Ypsonas on Sunday.

Black Caps were given a terrific start by openers Pawandeep Paul and Rupinder Singh, who both scored 52 in a stand of 113 inside 11 overs. Further momentum was added by explosive innings from Bhupinder Singh (52 from 22 balls) and Rajinder Singh (42 from 15), as all the Napa bowlers suffered apart from Tanvir Tariq who achieved creditable figures of 2 for 29 from his 4 overs.

The total of 224-7 was a tough ask for Napa Kings, and their chase was hampered by losing wickets regularly. Shah Zeb hit 45 and Hardeep Singh 52, but the economical bowling of Resham Singh, Rajwinder Brar and Rajinder Singh kept the Kings behind the required run rate, and they were all out for 153 in the 17th over.

A good start for Black Caps, but Napa Kings still have more matches in which to make amends.

Meanwhile the Cyprus team has arrived in Helsinki and had their first practice session on Monday at the Kerava ground where they take on Isle of Man in the European Qualifying event for the World T20 Cup on Tuesday, followed up by Romania on Wednesday.

The squad of 14 players has been selected from seven different teams. Champions Punjab Lions provide three players – the captain Gurpartap Singh, all-rounder Tejwinder Singh, and batsman / off-spinner Neeraj Tiwari.

There are also three from Sri Lanka Lions – all-rounder Sadun Chamal, wicketkeeper-batsman Nalin Pathirana and spin bowler Ruwan Manawasinha – and from Cyprus Moufflons – batsman Scott Austin, spinning all-rounder Riyaz Kajalwala, and Muhammad Husain, a late replacement for a player who was unable to travel.

Nicosia Tigers have two representatives, batsman Roman Mazumder and all-rounder Iftekar Jaman, and the other three players are opening batsman and spinner Akila De Silva (Sri Lankans CC), and all-rounders Muhammad Farooq (Limassol Qalandars) and Muhammad Shoaib of Riyaan CC.

Captain Gurpartap Singh commented that “although we are missing a few key players on the trip we are still stronger together as a squad and will look to follow up our improved performances from October with a determined effort against a team we know fairly well in Isle of Man. The next few days have a lot riding on it for Cyprus Cricket and we aim to show on the European stage that we are here to compete.”

Coach Richard Cox added: “The boys seem in good spirits already, we have pushed them hard in the squad session today and everyone is settled in and ready to go. It’s just about getting out there now and playing with a relaxed but determined style that leads us to winning positions, and then with T20I cricket who knows.”