NORWAY 190 FOR 7 BEAT BY SPAIN 187 ALL OUT BY THREE WICKETS
With both teams suffering defeats in their first game yesterday it was a chance to get back on track in the tournament almost immediately. The toss was won by Spain who without hesitation decided to bat. A different opening partnership of Charlie Hunt and Shehryaar Riaz gave “La Seleccion” a steady start, taking them to 26 without loss until the latter was caught behind off the bowling of Niazi for six.
Sarmad Ali and Hunt then set about establishing a partnership and put on a further twenty runs before Hunt was also caught behind, this time off the bowling of Malik. The Norwegians then bowled a tidy six over spell, bagging two more wickets in the process to leave Spain stuttering at 54 for 4.
A possible collapse was averted thanks to some steady and sensible batting from Sarmad Ali (33) and Kyle Roper (23) who added 56 for the fifth wicket. Spain continued to build on that platform until the close of their innings with Sanwal Masood (26 not out) and Hamza Nisar (17) both making notable contributions.
The Spanish innings finally ended in the 46th over with a total of 187 all out. A much more defendable target than the one posted the day before against Belgium.
The Spaniards had the best possible start with Shehryah Riaz taking two wickets in the first over to have the Norwegians reeling at two for two. That soon became 15 for three off three overs and 29 for 4 by the seventh over. At this point the Norwegian skipper Hayatullah Niazi came to the crease and played a captain’s innings. He scored a blistering 75 off 55 runs to put the Norwegians in pole position with the score standing at 158 for 6. Unfortunately for the Spaniards the Scandanavian lower order held their nerve and they went on to record a three wicket victory and inflict more heartbreak on a very courageous effort from the Spanish boys.
All the teams have a rest day tomorrow and then Spain play a very talented Netherlands side at Bishop Stortford College on Friday 3rd August. Local start time is 11am and it is free entry for everyone.
Spain v Norway toss – Harlow Cricket Ground