Switzerland team had a good start into the year 2023. They drew the two T20i matches 1-1 and won the friendly game.
First T20i (June 24). https://www.crichq.com/matches/1100948/2nd_innings
The Swiss team won the toss and decided to bat first. Openers Osama and Faheem provided an excellent start with loss of first wicket coming at 100 runs. However, the team lost momentum and couldnt post a big total and were restricted to 150-6. In response Luxembourg got to a flyer start with 49-1 in 5 overs. The Swiss bowlers pulled back the game and brought the game closer, at one stage Luxembourg needed 46 of 30 deliveries. In the last over Luxembourg needed 8 runs but they held their nerver and chased the total in 19.5 overs.
The change in playing conditions where players had to adjust a slower wicket and longer boundaries and faster outfield needed quick adjustment before the second game.
Friendly Game June 24:
https://www.crichq.com/matches/1101214/2nd_innings?reloaded=true
Luxembourg won the toss and decided to bat and got to a flyer start. 52-1 in 4.3 overs. The highlight from bowling was Jai Sinh who picked up 3 wicks in 2 overs for 20 runs. Luxembourg posted a competitve total of 169-6
In return Swiss team got to an excellent start. It was all Izhar’s day who scored a brilliant 97 not in 60 balls in his first outing for Switzerland. He was helped by an excellent knock by Arjun who made 60 off 36 balls. The Swiss side comfortably chased the total in 18 overs.
Third Game, 2nd T20i- June 25th.
https://www.crichq.com/matches/1101469/1st_innings
The Swiss captain won the toss and decided to field. The bowlers were the stars as they kept taking wickets, and in powerplay Lux were 12-3 in 3 overs. Due to our bowler’s excellent perforance, we managed to restrict Lux till 122 and then comfortably chased it in 13 overs with two wicks down. Faheem performed with Bat and scored a brilliant 72 not out. Izhar was again not out on 21 runs. Faheem was also the star in bowling with taking 3 wicks in 3 overs for just 14 runs!
The main highlight of the trip were excellent performance by top order as they all performed and in the last two matches we only lost two wicks in each game and chased scores of 170 and 122. The batsmen below couldnt event get a fair chance to show skills!
The bowlers successfully adjusted their lengths and got the Lux team out for 122 in 3rd game which had made 150+ and 170 just the day before.
Izhar was given the chance to perform at top order and he absolutely nailed it by scoring 97* and 21* in his first two outings for Switzerland. If he continues his form, he can be a great asset for Swiss cricket!
The team now looks forward to the trip in Malta from 12-17 july where they will play in Valleta cup.
