Switzerland finish as runners-up in Prague

Central European Development League

Vinor Kriket/Prague, Friday 5th - Sunday 7th September 2014

Switzerland finished second in the European T20 Development League which took place in Prague from 5th-7th September 2014.

Wins against Luxembourg & Czech Republic left Switzerland on the same points as Poland, but were pushed into second spot by virtue of direct results after losing to Poland by 4 wickets and just 5 balls remaining in a dramatic final match.

Switzerland began the European T20 Development League by recording a victory over Luxembourg in the first of three international Twenty20 matches at Vinor Kriket in Prague.

After winning the toss, a fine opening partnership from S.Safita (42) and P.Shikare (29)  of 61 set the Swiss up for a confident start. A middle order collapse, briefly halted by S.Franklin (25) appeared to do little harm, S.Muhammad 38& T.Mampilly closing the innings 179-7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Luxembourg stuck with the task well in the second innings, but S.Safiat completed the task with 3 wickets for 32 off 4 overs to claim the M.o.M. and a victory for Switzerland.

Poland beat Luxembourg by a convincing 9 wickets in the second game, Luxembourg obviously suffering from the very hot temperatures in the centre of the field.

On day two Switzerland came up against the hosts, Czech Republic.

The Czech Republic batted very well and scored 177 fpr lost of just 5 wickets, just 4 runs short of the highest tournament innings set by Switzerland on the opening day, H.Ahmad top scoring for the Czechs on 79.

Despite a downpour with just six overs remaining of the Swiss innings, Switzerland batted excellently, always managing to stay ahead of the required run-rate, A.Ashfaq scoring the winnings six with 10 balls to go and giving Switzerland's second win of the tournament from two games.

On the final day of the tournament Switzerland faced an impressive Polish team with an ex-India A opening bowler who had already taken a 5 wicket haul in the previous two matches.

Switzerland opened well and apart from a short mid-order collapse amassed 140 in their 20 over allocation.

Poland however had an even more impressive start and managed to reach the total set by the Swiss with five balls to spare and to claim the tournament trophy.

A very big thank you to Dan Casey & his team at Czech Cricket for a fantastic tournament, played in the most in a terrific spirit.

Switzerland  v Luxembourg

Switzerland 179-7 (20 overs; S Safiat 42, S Muhammad 38, J Barker 4-28, A Pattabiraman 2-17)
Luxembourg 143-9 (20 overs; J Mees 59, R Neale 21, T Whiteman 21, S Safiat 3-32, S Muhammad 2-3)
Switzerland won by 36 runs

scorecard

Luxembourg v Poland

Luxembourg 138-9 (20 overs; R Neale 38, T Whiteman 35, V Sinha 4-23, T Daluja 2-34)
Poland 139-1 (15.2 overs; M Babu 85*, N Akram 29, R Neale 1-30)
Poland won by nine wickets

scorecard

Czech Republic v Poland

Poland 119 all out (18 overs; T Daluja 40, M Babu 19, B Smith 3-13, R Deshmoyni 2-22)
Czech Rep 121-8 (18.1 overs; S Gladson 59*, S Page 18, V Sinha 5-12, M Babu 2-35)
Czech Rep won by two wickets

scorecard

Czech Republic v Switzerland

Czech Rep 177-5 (20 overs; H Ahmad 79, M Malik 34, S Safiat 2-24, S Franklin 2-29)
Switzerland 183-6 (18.2 overs; A Sikander 39, S Franklin 28, R Subash 3-25, B Smith 2-35)
Switzerland won by four wickets

scorecard

Czech Republic v Luxembourg

Czech Rep 135 all out (18.3 overs; H Ahmad 40, M Malik 32, W Codd 4-27, A Pattabiraman 3-13)
Luxembourg 138-2 (16 overs; J Mees 51, R Neale 33, B Soucek 1-39)
Luxembourg won by eight wickets

scorecard

Poland v Switzerland

Switzerland 140-9 (20 overs; S Muhammad 30, A Saleem 26, T Ahmed 4-12, M Babu 1-16)

Poland 144-6 (19.1 overs; A Ali 47*, N Akram 37, R Sherrell 2-26, A Sikander 2-27) Poland won by four wickets

scorecard

More information on the European Development League Tournament in Prague is available from the Cricket Switzerland website.