Opener Faisal Javed Khan cracked a fiery 61 off just 31 balls as Qatar beat Jersey by 20 runs in the first of the three Twenty20 International matches series on Wednesday night. 
At the Asian Town Cricket Stadium, Qatar, asked to set the target, went about the business through their openers who reeled off 96 runs in just 8.3 overs to lay the base for their challenging 179 for four. 
Jersey found the going tough and could not mount a serious pursuit, losing wickets regularly and then getting restricted at 159 for six. 
Faisal Javed Khan and Kamran Khan looked in punishing mood right from the beginning. Striking the ball with power and precision, they placed the home team in a commanding position as they carried them close to three figures. Just four runs before the coveted mark, Faisal was dismissed by skipper Dominic Blampied for 61. 
The fall of Faisal, who smashed a six and nine fours in his 31-ball blitz, triggered a collapse and Qatar lost three more wickets for 21 runs. Next best was other surviving opener Kamran, who slammed a six and four boundaries to get 32 in 21 balls. 
Mohamed Rizlan and Zaheeruddeen Ibrahim halted the skid and mustered 62 runs for an unbroken fifth wicket, which cemented Qatar’s position once again. 
Rizlan’s 29 not out had a six and two fours, while Ibrahim had two sixes in his 20-ball unbeaten 27. Ben Stevens picked two for 17. 
Jersey struggled in the chase due to fine bowling by Nouman Sarwar and Gayan Munaweera. 
They took four wickets, including top-scorer Nick Greenwood, to maintain pressure on the visitors. Mohammed Nadeem and captain Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry shared two to contain the rivals.
Greenwood struck two sixes and four boundaries in his 25-ball 42. Stevens and Nick Ferraby were the next best contributors with 26 and 24, respectively. 
Qatar Cricket Association President Yousuf Jeham al-Kuwari watched the entire match and presented the man of the match award to Faisal Javed Khan for his stirring knock. 


Brief scores:
Qatar: 179 for four (Kamran Khan 32 in 21 balls, Faisal Javed Khan 61 in 31 balls, Mohamed Rizlan 29 not out in 27 balls, Zaheeruddeen Ibrahim 27 not out in 20 balls, Ben Stevens 2/17)
Jersey: 159 for six (Nick Ferraby 24 in 27 balls, Ben Stevens 26 in 23 balls, Nick Greenwood 42 in 25 balls, Nouman Sarwar 2/29, Gayan Munaweera 2/31)
Man of the match: Faisal Javed Khan (Qatar).