In an impressive display at the Gulf Cricket Women’s T20I Championship 2025, Kuwait Women made a strong statement in their opening match against Qatar Women. From the start, Kuwait showcased their batting prowess and followed it up with sharp bowling that caught their opponents off guard. After winning the toss, Qatar chose to field first, hoping to chase down Kuwait’s total.
Kuwait kicked off their innings with a bright start, spearheaded by Priyada Murali’s confident stroke play. She struck three well-timed boundaries and scored 21 runs off 22 balls, laying a solid foundation for her team and ensuring that the scoreboard was ticking over against Qatar’s bowling attack.
The middle order soon took charge, and the standout performer was Zeefa Jilani, whose innings became the backbone of Kuwait’s total. Jilani played a masterclass in pacing her innings, finishing with an impressive 71 runs off 54 balls, which included five fours and three sixes. Her aggressive yet measured approach not only boosted the team’s momentum but also stabilised the innings after a strong start.
While Jilani was grabbing headlines, Sabreen Zaki played a crucial supporting role. She scored a lively 34 runs off 26 balls, hitting three fours and a six, and helped maintain a steady flow of runs during the middle overs. Contributions from Balasubramani Shanti (7 off 5) and Maryam Omar (5 off 5) added vital runs toward the end, bringing Kuwait’s total to a formidable 160 for 5 in their 20 overs, a target that would prove too daunting for Qatar.
On the bowling front, Qatar faced some challenging spells. Their main bowler, Maria Jacob, managed to take two key wickets for just 23 runs in her four overs, disrupting the Kuwait innings and breaking important partnerships. Getrude Candiru added another wicket for 37 runs. The rest of the bowlers, like Aysha (0/29 in 4), Khadija Imtiaz (0/26 in 2), Roheed Akhtar (1/24 in 4), and Lihara Ayeysekara (0/19 in 2), each tried different tactics but struggled to contain the scoring.
Chasing a target of 161, Qatar Women faced early difficulties and never found their rhythm. While their top order showed promise, they looked tentative against Kuwait’s disciplined bowling. Aysha emerged as the top scorer for Qatar with a fighting 33 runs off 30 balls, trying to forge partnerships but ultimately not enough to keep pace with the required run rate.
Aside from Aysha, Christeena Jacob offered a brief spark with 13 runs, but once she was out, Qatar’s chase faltered. The middle order could only produce sporadic contributions, with Krisheta Sarvanakumar managing 16 off 15 balls, while Maria Jacob added 5 off 6. Dismissals from batters like Shrutiben Rana (4), Khadija Imtiaz (2), and Taful Elkhair (3) came cheaply, and a series of runouts highlighted the pressure.
Kuwait’s bowling unit stood firm on a pitch that offered its own challenges. Zeefa Jilani excelled with the ball as well, taking 2 wickets for just 8 runs in her two overs, applying immense pressure at a critical juncture. Her all-round performance had a defining impact on the match. T Yangchen, Maryam Omar, and Priyada Murali all chipped in with key dismissals, and the rest of the bowlers maintained tight lines, resulting in Qatar being bowled out for just 92 runs in 16.2 overs. This handed Kuwait a convincing 68-run victory.
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