Pintu and Kumar put Black Caps ahead

Following the excitement of Cyprus’ good showing at the World T20 Cup Qualifiers in Finland,the players have returned home to continue battling for the domestic 2022 CCA #BAOGroup T20 Cup which is now in the super-6 stage competed by the top two teams from each group.

Nicosia-based Black Caps have taken an early lead by winning their first two games, following up their victory over Napa Kings with a 27-run win over Markhor.

As for the national team, their performance in Finland has seen their world ranking reach 56, and coach Richard Cox has ambitions to help it rise further. He commented “It’s been an honour to once again lead the cricketing side of the trip and to see the players respond to the demands of a tournament where the regulations are strict, the media coverage is constant and the routines exacting.”

Meanwhile at the Ypsonas cricket ground Black Caps amassed 205-7 in their 20 overs against Markhor, who have done well to reach the final stages in their first season in the competition. Markhor’s opening bowlers Hamza Rehman and Amir Sohail started well, reducing the Caps to 40-5, but from there on Ankit Kumar took charge, batting through to the end for 86 not out, and receiving good support from Rajinder Singh (40) and a rapid 19 not out by Resham Singh.

Resham, a bubbly character known to all as Pintu, followed up by opening the bowling and taking a wicket first ball, and after a run-out two balls later Markhor found themselves at 0-2, and facing an uphill task.

They recovered well through innings of 72 by Zeshan Ali and 49 by Hamza Rehman, before both were dismissed by Pintu, who finished with figures of 4-38. The last few wickets fell with little resistance to leave Markhor all out for 178, with Black Caps establishing an early lead in the table.

However, with Punjab Lions, Cyprus Moufflons and Sri Lanka Lions yet to play in the super-6s, there is still a lot of cricket to be played before the top two teams will meet in the final, which is scheduled for 25 September.