By Tim Douglas 
Port Soif, August 24, 2024 — Finland claimed a tense 4-run victory over Guernsey in the 10th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier Group C, held at the Guernsey Rovers Athletic Club Ground, Port Soif. In a rain-shortened 13-over match, Finland managed to defend a modest total of 90 runs, thanks to a stellar performance from Raaz Mohammad, who was named Player of the Match for his remarkable 4/7.
Batting first, Finland struggled to build momentum as Guernsey’s bowlers kept a tight grip on the game. Despite a few brisk cameos, including 23 from Atif Rasheed, Finland could only muster 90 runs before being bowled out in 12.4 overs. Martin-Dale Bradley and Luke Thomas Bichard shone with the ball for Guernsey, each taking three wickets.
In response, Guernsey’s chase faltered as Raaz Mohammad ran through their top order, picking up 4 wickets for just 7 runs. Despite a fighting 33 from captain Oliver Nightingale, Guernsey fell just short, being bowled out for 86 in 12.5 overs. Finland’s 4-run victory marked their smallest margin of victory in T20Is.
Key Records:
- Josh Butler became the top scorer for Guernsey in T20Is with 744 runs, surpassing Matthew Stokes’s 743 runs.
- Jonathan Scamans broke the record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper (12) in T20Is for Finland, surpassing Aravind Mohan’s 11.
- Finland’s 4-run win against Guernsey is their smallest margin of victory in terms of runs in T20Is, beating their previous best of 7 runs against Sweden.
Brief Scores:
Finland: 90 all out in 12.4 overs (Atif Rasheed 23, Raaz Mohammad 4/7, Martin-Dale Bradley 3/11)
Guernsey: 86 all out in 12.5 overs (Oliver Nightingale 33, Raaz Mohammad 4/7, Mahesh Tambe 2/18)
Result: Finland won by 4 runs.
Player of the Match: Raaz Mohammad (4/7)
Madhavam