Kuwait and Hong Kong captains pose with the umpire after the toss.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 10: In a pivotal clash during the ICC T20 World Cup Sub Regional Qualifiers A, Kuwait faced Hong Kong China in a match that saw fluctuating fortunes before being interrupted by heavy rain.

Captain Aslam of Kuwait opted to bowl first after winning the toss, and his bowlers delivered in spades. Shafeeq, opening with the new ball, led the charge for Kuwait with a devastating spell, picking up 3 wickets for 35 runs in his 4 overs. Shafeeq’s consistent breakthroughs set the tone early, as he applied pressure on Hong Kong China’s top order. Yasin Patel, who has been Kuwait’s go-to bowler throughout the tournament, lived up to his “Golden Arm” reputation by claiming 2 wickets for 28 in his 4 overs.

Captain Aslam contributed with a controlled spell, taking 1 for 25, while Shiraz was outstanding with an economical 2 for 19 in his 4 overs quota, keeping the opposition’s scoring in check. Together, Kuwait’s bowling attack restricted Hong Kong China to a modest 138/9 in their 20 overs, a competitive but certainly chaseable total. As Kuwait came out to chase, Hong Kong China’s bowlers wasted no time in putting them under pressure. With a fiery and disciplined start, Hong Kong China’s bowlers struck early blows, reducing Kuwait to 11 for 2 within the first four overs.

Kuwait’s top order struggled to cope with the aggression, as the Hong Kong China bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths. With the game hanging in the balance and Kuwait in recovery mode, the weather took a dramatic turn.

The rain, which had threatened throughout, finally came down heavily, halting the match. Despite waiting for the weather to clear, the downpour persisted, forcing the umpires to call off the game due to the conditions. Both teams were awarded a point each, and the outcome left Kuwait holding second place in the standings.

This result was enough for Kuwait to secure qualification for the next round of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Regional Qualifiers 2026, joining Malaysia in advancing. The Kuwait team celebrated its achievement, having put in a solid tournament performance to earn their spot in the next stage. Mohammad Shafeeq was named Man of the Match for his outstanding bowling display in this crucial encounter.

“Kuwait was brave throughout the tournament, securing 4 very convincing victories. Before the start of the qualifiers, Kuwait had already stamped its authority as champion of the KCC T20I Tri-Nations Cup, where it defeated Hong Kong China in three consecutive matches. On this day, the rain god seemed to intervene as a testament that fortune favors the brave, and indeed, destiny rewards those who dare to write their path. Now, Kuwait is proudly qualified for the next round of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Regional Qualifiers.”