SECOND VICTORY IN SUCCESSION AS SPAIN OVERCOME ESTONIA

Spain’s 125-run victory over Estonia at Messonghi was completely dominated by Tariq Ali’s magnificent innings of 150 not out.  His 66-ball knock included 16 sixes and five fours and much of his 80-minute stay at the crease was spent retrieving balls which had been hit out of the ground or into the windows of the neighbouring hotel.   

Faced with a target of 219 for victory, Estonia quickly slumped to 32 for five and the game was over as a contest.

Having chosen to bat first, Spain immediately set about the Estonian bowling with Armaghan Khan and Tariq Ali taking the score to the century mark in just nine overs before Armaghan fell for 38, made from 28 balls.  Tariq Ali was already blazing away and most of the Estonian bowlers were put to the sword as he punished anything on leg stump or outside the off stump, with midwicket and long on being his favourite hitting areas.  Unfortunately for Estonia, their catching was below par and they gave Tariq a couple of lives early in his innings.  

In the midst of all the boundary hitting, Sivalingam Arunacharam produced the best spell of Estonian bowling, conceding just 31 runs in his four overs and claiming three Spanish wickets.

Estonia immediately struggled against some disciplined Spanish seam bowling.  Only Moshiur Rahman and Tim Heath (40 from 34 balls) at the top order were able to get to grips with the pace and bounce.   

Sajid Ali took three wickets in a spell which conceded just 17 runs, while Tanveer Iqbal, Talat Ali and Armaghan Khan all conceded less than 5 runs per over as they captured two wickets apiece as Estonia closed on 93 for nine

Messonghi: Spain 218-6, 20 overs (Tariq Ali 150 not out, Armaghan Khan 38; Sivalingam Arunachalam 3-31)

Estonia 93-9, 20 overs 

Spain won by 125 runs