Mongolia's Cricket Nightmare: Bowled Out for 12, Second-Lowest T20I Score

Mongolia's cricket team has endured a humiliating milestone, being bowled out for a mere 12 runs in a T20 International match against Japan. This ignominious score marks the second-lowest total in T20I history, surpassed only by Isle of Man's 10 all out against Spain in 2023.

The match, held at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Japan, saw Japan post an imposing 217 for 7 after electing to bat. In response, Mongolia's batting lineup collapsed spectacularly, with 17-year-old left-arm seamer Kazuma Kato-Stafford wreaking havoc. Kato-Stafford claimed an astonishing 5 for 7 from his 3.2 overs, while Abdul Samad (2/4) and Makoto Taniyama (2/0) also chipped in with wickets.

Tur Sumaya (4 off 11) was the only Mongolian batsman to reach double figures, while opener Namsrai Bat-yalalt faced the most deliveries (12). This was the second T20I of a seven-match series, with the third match later in the day being abandoned without a result.

In the first T20I, Mongolia had been bowled out for 33 in reply to Japan's 199 for 5, suffering a 166-run defeat. This was Mongolia's fifth T20I appearance, having made their international debut at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, where they lost both their group stage matches.

Despite these setbacks, Mongolia's cricket development has made strides in recent years. Battulga Gombo, known as the "man behind cricket" in the country, has played a pivotal role in establishing the sport. With the support of the Mongolian Cricket Seed Appeal, the schools' program has expanded, and indoor and outdoor tournaments are now held throughout the year.

Tags: #Cricket, #T20I, #Mongolia, #Japan, #LowScore