Australia, New Zealand dominate first day
Defending champions Australia and runners-up New Zealand dominated the first day’s proceedings of 12th Indoor Cricket Cup 2025 which got underway at the Austasia Sports Complex and U Pro Arena in Thalawathugoda yesterday.
Australia recorded two wins, both against hosts Sri Lanka in Men’s Open by 36 runs and in the Under-22 Girls’ by a massive 175 runs. New Zealand succeeded to record three wins, against England by 16 runs in Open Men, against Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the Women’s Open and by 93 runs over UAE in Under-22 Girls’.
In the other matches, hosts Sri Lanka secured a 29-run win against USA in the Men’s Open, UAE got the better of South Africa by 45 runs and India defeated Singapore by 97 runs, while in the Women’s Open South Africa outclassed Singapore by a massive 177 runs and UAE beat India by , while also beating India by 53 runs in the Under-22 Boys’.
The 12th Indoor Cricket Cup tournament, organised by World Indoor Cricket Federation (WICF) and conducted by Ceylon Indoor Cricket Association (CICA) is being contested by 31 teams of four categories – Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Under-22 Boys and Under-22 Girls – representing eight countries, defending champions Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, England, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, USA and hosts Sri Lanka. The tournament is scheduled to end on October 4.
Australia who have won all the titles since tournament began in 1988 are the hot favourites to retain the title. In the Women’s category too Australia have been successful since it began in 1988.