China Bowled Out For Paltry 28, Lose By 390 Runs To Saudi Arabia

When India were celebrating Mahendra Singh Dhoni's knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad to earn his team Rising Pune Supergiant an astonishing victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Saturday, China, on the other hand, were facing the biggest humiliation in cricket. Playing a World Cricket League regional qualifier match in Thailand, the Chinese cricket team was bowled out for a paltry 28 in a 50-over match against Saudi Arabia. Not only this, they were handed a 390-run defeat by the opposition.

Their total was seven runs fewer than the record low for a full one-day international of 35 made by Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in 2004. But it was still more than the record 50-over low score of 18 made by West Indies U19s against Barbados in Guyana in 2007.

Saudi Arabia piled up 418 all out off their 50 overs before China's outclassed batsmen collapsed in just 12.4 overs as extras top-scored with 13.

China playing #Cricket with Saudi Arabia in Thailand ????

I'm sure no one would have dreamt of this weird future ????

— Aishwary Vyas (@AishwaryVyas) April 22, 2017

@ICC China cricket sounds very funny??????????????

— sandeep (@Jasonstatham764) April 22, 2017

@SirJadeja The next Chinese demand: " China's stand is consistent and clear;the Indian cricket team actually belongs to us!! " ??????

— SanatK (@skmumbai77) April 22, 2017

The Saudis are considered favourites to win the tournament in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, which is the first step towards qualifying for the 2023 World Cup.

Shahbaz Rasheed made 50 and Mohammad Afzal a century from 91 balls with 13 fours and two sixes.

Photo Credit: ICC/Twitter

But it was Saudi captain Shoaib Ali who propelled the innings to 400-plus as he took only 24 balls to reach 50 and made a rapid-fire 91 from just 41 balls with 10 fours and six sixes.

Facing the huge total China were shot out by bowling trio Ibrar Ul Haq who took three wickets for eight runs, leg-spinner Imran Arif who bagged three for just two runs and off-spinner Shahbaz Rasheed finished the match with a hat-trick.

He was denied the chance to take four wickets in four balls as the injured number 11 Jiang Shuyao did not bat.

Despite their crushing defeat, China bowler Feng Yu returned five for 89 from his 10 overs.

Thailand, Bahrain, Bhutan, Kuwait and Qatar are the other nations taking part in the tournament.

(With AFP inputs)