Kuwait produced one of the most one-sided results of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Asia Qualifier A 2026, thrashing Bhutan by eight wickets in the 18th match at the Selangor Turf Club, Kuala Lumpur on Monday, October 12.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Kuwait’s disciplined attack restricted Bhutan to just 74 for 9 in their 20 overs. The chase was a formality: Ravija Sandaruwan’s unbeaten 11-ball 40 powered Kuwait home in only 4.2 overs, finishing the game with a massive 94 balls to spare.
Left-arm spin did the early damage for Kuwait, and Yasin Patel was named Player of the Match for a match-defining spell of 4 for 12 from his four overs, including a maiden.
Match Overview
Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Asia Qualifier A 2026, 18th Match. Venue: Selangor Turf Club, Kuala Lumpur. Date: Monday, October 12, 2026 (2:00 PM local start). Toss: Kuwait won the toss and elected to bowl first. Result: Kuwait won by 8 wickets (with 94 balls remaining).
Scorecard Summary
Bhutan — 74/9 in 20 overs: Namgang Chejay 20 (23 balls, 1 four, 1 six); Tshering Tashi 16 (41); Thinley Jamtsho 12 not out (18); Tashi Phuntsho 6 (10); Gakul Ghalley 7 (5); Ranjung Mikyo Dorji 7 (15); Extras 4. Bowling for Kuwait: Yasin Patel 4 overs, 1 maiden, 12 runs, 4 wickets; Adnan Idrees 4-0-11-2; Mohammed Aslam Nawfer 4-0-19-2; Meet Bhavsar 4-0-13-1; Shahrukh Quddus 2-0-8-0.
Kuwait — 78/2 in 4.2 overs: Ravija Sandaruwan 40 not out (11 balls, 5 sixes, 1 four); Clinto Anto 13 not out (3 balls, 2 sixes); Adnan Idrees 13 (7); Bilal Tahir 11 (5). Bowling for Bhutan: Thinley Jamtsho 1-0-18-1 (Adnan Idrees, lbw); Tashi Phuntsho 2-0-29-1 (Bilal Tahir, caught).
Key Performances
Yasin Patel (Kuwait) — 4 for 12 from four overs with a maiden. The spell that dismantled Bhutan’s middle order and ended any hope of a competitive total.
Ravija Sandaruwan (Kuwait) — 40 not out from just 11 balls, including five sixes at a strike rate of 363.64. He effectively ended the contest within the first two overs of the chase.
Adnan Idrees (Kuwait) — a genuine all-round contribution: 2 for 11 with the ball and a brisk 13 off 7 balls with the bat before falling to Thinley Jamtsho.
Clinto Anto (Kuwait) — 13 not out from 3 balls, sealing the win in style with back-to-back sixes off Thinley Jamtsho in the fourth over.
Mohammed Aslam Nawfer (Kuwait) — 2 for 19 from four economical overs, keeping the pressure on throughout Bhutan’s innings.
Namgang Chejay (Bhutan) — 20 off 23 balls, the only Bhutanese batter to reach 20 in an otherwise bleak batting display.
Player of the Match
Yasin Patel was named the official Player of the Match for his outstanding figures of 4 for 12 from four overs. His spell — including a maiden — ripped through Bhutan’s middle order and was the single biggest factor in the eight-wicket triumph.
What This Result Means for the Qualifier Race
Kuwait continue their strong campaign in the Asia Sub Regional Qualifier A, and this is their fourth win in their last five matches — the only recent defeat coming against Bahrain. The emphatic nature of this win also gives their net run rate a healthy boost, which could matter in a tight qualifying race. Bhutan, on the other hand, suffered their third straight defeat after losses to Bahrain and Qatar, and will need a sharp turnaround to stay in contention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Bhutan vs Kuwait, 18th Match?
Bhutan scored 74 for 9 in 20 overs, and Kuwait chased it down at 78 for 2 in 4.2 overs. Kuwait won by 8 wickets.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Kuwait’s Yasin Patel was named Player of the Match for his match-winning bowling figures of 4 for 12 from four overs.
How many balls were remaining when Kuwait won?
Kuwait finished the chase in 4.2 overs, so 94 balls were remaining — an extremely comfortable win.
Who won the toss in the Bhutan vs Kuwait match?
Kuwait won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision their bowlers fully justified.
Where was the Bhutan vs Kuwait 18th Match played?
The match was played at the Selangor Turf Club, Kuala Lumpur on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Final Summary
Kuwait’s eight-wicket demolition of Bhutan was as complete a performance as this qualifier has seen. Yasin Patel’s 4 for 12 set the tone, the rest of the attack backed him up superbly, and Ravija Sandaruwan’s 40 not out from 11 balls turned the chase into a highlight reel. With the win sealed with 94 balls to spare, Kuwait underlined why they are one of the teams to beat in the Asia Sub Regional Qualifier A.
Green Benn is a dedicated sports writer specializing in cricket, including IPL and international formats. Known for clear, engaging, and informative content, Green simplifies complex match analysis and player statistics for all readers. Passionate about sports storytelling, Green delivers reliable, SEO-friendly articles that keep fans updated and informed
