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[Saba Sports News] Indonesia recently hosted Cambodia for a seven-match T20I cricket series. The host team secured victories in three of the first four matches, but Cambodia managed a win in the fifth game, keeping the series competition alive. The sixth T20I was held in Bali on November 23, where Indonesia, after winning the toss, chose to have Cambodia bat first.
During the match, Cambodian players unexpectedly halted the game after their No. 4 batsman Luqman Butt was dismissed in the 12th over, with the team’s score at 77/3. The exact reason for their walkout remains unclear, but it seems to be linked to dissatisfaction with Dharma Kesuma’s catch that led to Butt’s dismissal.
Following Cambodia’s decision not to continue, Indonesia was declared the winner of the match, thus gaining a decisive 4-2 lead in the series. Consequently, the seventh and final match was called off without play.
In terms of individual performances, Butt emerged as the top run-scorer in the series, amassing 166 runs in six innings. On the Indonesian side, Padmakar Surve shone brightly, securing the position of the second-highest run-scorer with 160 runs from five innings. In bowling, Indonesia’s Ketut Artawan led as the top wicket-taker, while Maxi Koda, Danilson Hawoe, and Cambodia’s Shah Abrar Hussain also made significant contributions.
The series showcased impressive cricket from both teams, making it regrettable that it didn’t conclude as expected. Cricket enthusiasts hope the tensions between these Asian teams will ease soon. The sport’s growth and expansion are evident, and the increasing involvement of teams like Cambodia and Indonesia only enhances cricket’s global appeal.