Qatar showed intent when they posted a big win over Bhutan in a warm-up match ahead of the ICC World Cricket League Qualifier-Asia, which starts in Chiang Mai, Thailand, today.
Qatar’s Qalandar Khan had smashed a century in the match against Bhutan to power his side to a massive 174-run confidence-boosting win.
Qatar play Kuwait in their opening match for the tournament that will conclude on May 1, and the Qatar Board of Cricket, Hockey and Rugby president Yousef al-Kuwari is confident that the national team will do their best.
“The team we selected are the best lot of cricketers we have domestically,” al-Kuwari said on the sidelines of a press conference for the Indoor Asia Cup Hockey Championship, which will run from April 24-28 in Doha.
“We hope they do very well.”
At stake at the Chiang Mai tournament is a place in the World Cricket League Division 5, where the winners will join other regional qualifiers, including Ghana, Vanuatu and Cayman Islands among others.
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the tournament is the first step of the ladder for Associate and Affiliate members as they strive for a place in the 2023 World Cup and beyond.
“We have big ambitions for the game,” al-Kuwari said.
“We are looking to host some big events with some of the top teams from across the world like India, Pakistan, England. We need to take it to the next level.”
Al-Kuwari’s run as president of Qatar Rugby Federation before rugby, hockey and cricket was merged under one governing body in the country recently saw Doha play host to a tri-nations Asian Division III Championship, 11-nation Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy and the Olympic champions, the Fiji national team, apart from the domestic competitions.
Al-Kuwari acknowledged cricket’s popularity in Qatar and hoped to help grow the game in the country.
“Of course, cricket is very popular here. We have around 64 teams locally, which is arguably more than any other sport can boast of in this country,” he said.
“There is also a lot of fan interest in cricket, and it is a global game which has been growing for years together now. And then there is also a chance that cricket will be included in the Olympic Games very soon.
“We have plans, and God-willing we will do our best to grow the game in the country.”
