Match Report: Slow and steady wins the race as Sweden draws first blood in Bali Bash T20I
By: RF Hobson
Sweden have secured a hard-fought four-wicket victory in a final over thriller against Indonesia in the first Bali Bash International match today, chasing down the 120-run target with three balls to spare.
In a dramatic opener of the eight-match T20I series, the visitors initially opted to field which gave Indonesia the apparent home ground advantage to rack up a big tally and they set the pace early in their innings.
Opening batsmen Gede Priandana and Ketut Tember sought an aggressive start to their partnership, however over-eagerness to hit hard and fast proved to be their downfall.
Both players were sent off the field before the end of the first over, the latter courtesy of Swedish bowler Zain Muzaffar on the third ball, while the former was run out by Wynand Boshoff on the fifth ball.
With the risk of an early collapse for Indonesia hanging in the air, batsmen Kavin Neeraj and Sudhakar Jegannathan changed tact, playing defensively and clawing back lost opportunities.
Swedish bowler Samiullah Rahmani put a stop to the successful duo, claiming Neeraj in the 11th over. He also made short work of his replacement Gede Arta, bowling him on the very next ball.
Indonesian captain Danilson Hawoe sought to keep his team’s hopes alive when he stepped out into the middle, but alas he too was no match for Rahmani’s prowess with the ball.
The risk of collapse was in the air again but was checked by the partnership of Sampath Kharvi and Jegannathan, the latter proving to be the anchor for Indonesian’s batting efforts.
Although Kharvi was caught by bowler Imal Zuwak in the 14th over, his batting replacement Ketut Artawan continued the fight alongside Jegannathan.
After a steady run of boundaries, singles and twos, Jegannathan’s number was up, caught by Sweden’s Yatharth Chauhan.
Next in the batting lineup was Anjar Tadarus, who did not even have a chance to make an impact, run out by Boshoff.
Despite a final rally, Indonesia’s remaining batting order quickly fell as Ferdinando Banunaek and Ketut Artawan both holed out as the home side was bowled out for 119 after 17.5 overs.
Chasing 120 to draw first blood in the series, Sweden decided on a more conservative approach to their innings with captain Imal Zuwak and Ajay Mundra opening for the visitors.
A steady accumulation of singles and a handful of boundaries helped the Swedes find their groove on the tricky pitch, but Mundra’s exit after a catch by Banunaek showed the dangers of getting too comfortable at the crease.
Awais Ahmad continued the partnership with his compatriot until he too was shown the door after solid fielding from the plucky Indonesian side.
Bowlers Danesh Shetty and Anwar Tardus kept Ahmad and Zuwak from scoring big until it was time for Indonesian captain Danilson Hawoe to try his luck in toppling his counterpart.
In a ‘captain versus captain’ 8th over, Zuwak pierced the field for two before smashing a boundary but his cameo ended when he was caught by Kharvi.
Sweden kept their cool for the rest of the innings, embodying the phrase ‘ slow and steady wins the race’ by continuing to score singles and twos, and only breaking out into boundaries when the opportunity was right.
Indonesia’s fielding continued to be solid and responsive, however it was not enough to halt the visitors from achieving their win with a huge blow for six off what turned out to be the final ball of an engrossing opening match.