Maldives to Compete in Asian Tennis Ball Cricket Championship for First Time

The Maldives is set to make its debut in the Asian Tennis Ball Cricket Championship, participating in the tournament for the first time. The team, representing IGE Sports Academy, consists of 14 players and 5 officials, including two players from the national under-19 team. The championship, organized by the Asian Tennis Ball Cricket Federation, will be held from November 26 to 29 at the KCG College of Technology Field 1 in Chennai, India. A total of 13 nations are competing, with the Maldives placed in Group A alongside Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Nepal. Group B includes Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the UAE, and Afghanistan. Coach Mohamed Afhlah, a former chairman of the Cricket Board of Maldives, highlighted that this is the first time the Maldives has entered a soft ball cricket tournament. He noted the advantage of the tennis ball (soft ball) format, which reduces the risk of injury and makes the sport accessible to all ages. The matches will be played in a 6-over format with nine players per side, a format Afhlah said makes it easier to increase scoring.