Budding Philippine Cricket Team

Philippines makes history in cricket World Cup qualifier


Adrian Stewart Co| Buzzer Beater
Panay News
09 December 2018

THE disappointing campaigns of Gilas Pilipinas and the Philippine Azkals notwithstanding, the Philippine cricket team moves closer to qualifying in the T20 Cricket World Cup next year in Australia.

Credit: Fox Sports Philippines

The Philippines completed its dominance in the weeklong tournament serving as the first step to a World Cup qualification with a 138-110 victory over Indonesia on Friday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Friendship Oval in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Led by four Australian-Filipino players Jonathan Hill, Daniel Smith, Henry Tyler, and Grant Russ, the Philippines was able to keep in step with tough foes.

“The team now has the depth of talent and experience to challenge some of the best sides in the region. There is something special about this side,” said Hill, the Philippine team captain.

“We are a tight-knit group who are immensely proud to play for and represent the Philippines. They never lose focus and when the going gets tough, they get going. It’s an honor to captain them and to make history today,” he added.

Philippines coach Mark Pekin, meanwhile, credited the support of the Filipinos for their triumphant campaign. He hopes the momentum will continue in the next stages of the qualifier.

“In many close games, their support was the difference between us winning and losing. It was like having an extra player on the field. I’m so pleased that we were able to win the Cup for them,” Pekin said.

The Philippine squad will next compete in Papua New Guinea early next year where it will play Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu in the International Cricket Council East Asia Pacific final, where the winner will head to the global qualifying round.

In the global qualifying round, six teams will advance to the World Cup competition.