Cricket: IoM beaten by Sweden during T20 internationals

Nations meet for two matches at Cronkbourne Cricket Club

The Isle of Man men's cricket team suffered defeats to Sweden during two T20 internationals held on Island last weekend.

During a bilateral series between the nations at Cronkbourne Cricket Club on Saturday, 6 September, Sweden opened strong with a ten-wicket victory over the Manx side during match one.

The second contest was a more closely-fought affair with Sweden again winning, this time by three wickets.

Both squads were due to face each other twice again on Sunday (7 September), however poor weather meant both matches that day were abaondoned.

During game one, Isle of Man went into bat first and were bowled out for 78 during a strong Sweden bowling display, spearheaded by Advait Dhabe who took four wickets.

The Isle of Man's biggest run score coming from Christian Webster who managed 24 with Luke Ward the second-most productive with 17 runs.

In response, Sweden produced an emphatic, unbroken partnership in bat with Ajay Mundra (41 not out) and captain, Imal Zuwak (36 not out) overhauling the Isle of Man's total in just under 11 overs.

Later that afternoon in game two, the Isle of Man were again first into bat and produced a much-improved 114 runs all out with one ball in the innings remaining.

The standout batting displays came from Carl Hartmann and Joseph Burrows who both managed 24 runs with Christian Webster close behind on 22.

With Sweden up to bat next, Zuwak and Mundra both started strong again but this time were both separately dismissed for 30.

Despite the fact no other Sweden batter would match that individual run total, the likes of Darsah Lakhani (16) and Wynand Boshoff (14) played key roles as the visitors eventually went on to surpass the Isle of Man's total at 116-7 with 33 balls left.

Outside of the results, there was a personal milestone for the Isle of Man's Joseph Burrows who received his unique 25th Isle of Man red cap during Saturday - he's currently the Isle of Man's leading wicket taker with 34 wickets at an average of 16.44.