Kingsmen hand New Zealand ‘A’ first defeat with 20-run win

Darwin, 25 August 2026: Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy handed New Zealand ‘A’ its first defeat of the Top End T20 Series on Tuesday, defending 141 to claim a 20-run victory at Marrara Cricket Ground No. 2.

New Zealand ‘A’, which elected to bowl after winning the toss, were dismissed for 121 in 19.1 overs as left-arm spinner Umer Khan took 3-17 from four overs.

Kingsmen had earlier been bowled out for 141 in 19.2 overs, with Shehan Jayasuriya top-scoring with 33 from 28 balls and captain Hammad Azam adding 29 from 24.

New Zealand ‘A’ made a promising start to its chase despite losing Katene Clarke for five in the second over. Matthew Boyle struck four boundaries in a rapid 18 from nine balls, while Max Chu hit 32 from 22 deliveries, including three fours and two sixes.

Boyle and Chu helped New Zealand ‘A’ reach 54-2 after five overs, putting the chase in a strong position. But Kingsmen’s bowlers quickly regained control.

Chu fell to Scott Kuggeleijn at 63-3 and Dean Foxcroft was dismissed for 11 at the end of the ninth over. Khan then bowled Mitchell Hay for three before later removing captain Jayden Lennox.

Muhammad Abbas made 14 from 20 balls and Josh Clarkson eight from 15 as New Zealand ‘A’ struggled to maintain the required scoring rate through the middle overs.

Kuggeleijn finished with 2-21, while Ghulam Mudassar took 2-35. Usama Mir went wicketless but conceded only 19 runs from his four overs.

Earlier, New Zealand ‘A’ had reduced Kingsmen to 30-3 before Jayasuriya steadied the innings. He shared a recovery with Tajinder Singh, who made 18, before Azam helped push the total beyond 140.

Kristian Clarke was New Zealand A’s most successful bowler with 3-23. Ben Lister, Clarkson and Jayden Lennox took two wickets each, while Matthew Fisher claimed 1-19.

Kingsmen collected two points from the victory, while New Zealand ‘A’ left empty-handed after suffering its first loss of the tournament.

Scores in brief: Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy 141 in 19.2 overs (Shehan Jayasuriya 33, Hammad Azam 29; Kristian Clarke 3-23, Jayden Lennox 2-27) beat New Zealand A 121 in 19.1 overs (Max Chu 32, Matthew Boyle 18; Umer Khan 3-17, Scott Kuggeleijn 2-21) by 20 runs.