2026 U16 National Junior T20 Championship

Get ready for the future of Maldivian cricket! 🏏🔥

Kaani’s Bowling Brilliance Secures Victory in Junior T20 Championship Clash

Kaani 155/2 (Shifaan 74, Naseer 38*) beat Madhoshi 117/5 (Mansoor 51, Shifaan 3-10) by 38 runs.

Series Underway with a Dominant Performance

The 2026 U16 National Junior T20 Championship ended with a compelling Grand Final as Kaani emerged victorious against Madhoshi on May 19, 2026. Madhoshi won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision that initially seemed promising but ultimately backfired as Kaani posted a competitive total, setting the stage for a disciplined bowling performance.

Kaani Batsmen Build a Solid Foundation

Put in to bat first, Kaani’s innings was anchored by a stellar knock from Mohamed Shifaan. He showcased maturity beyond his years, crafting a magnificent 74 off 57 deliveries, laced with eight boundaries. While Shifaan was eventually run out, he had already done the bulk of the scoring, laying a strong platform. Umair Ibrahim Naseer provided crucial support, remaining unbeaten on 38 from 64 balls, batting with a steady strike rate. Their partnership was instrumental in Kaani reaching a respectable 155 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Madhoshi’s bowlers, led by Ahmed Arush with one wicket, toiled hard, but Kaani’s batsmen managed to keep the scoreboard ticking, particularly during the middle overs where a significant 100-run partnership bloomed. The late surge saw Kaani finish strongly, setting a challenging target.

Madhoshi’s Chase Falters Under Kaani’s Intense Bowling Pressure

Chasing 156 for victory, Madhoshi’s innings got off to a shaky start, losing wickets early in the powerplay. Mohamed Shifaan, who had impressed with the bat, turned into a formidable force with the ball, tearing through Madhoshi’s top order. He scalped three crucial wickets for a mere 10 runs in his four overs, dismantling the chase from its core. Dhanish Mohamed Rifkhan also played a vital role, contributing with two wickets of his own. Despite a valiant effort from Mohamed Joodh Ahmed Mansoor, who scored a commendable 51 off 57 balls, Madhoshi struggled to keep pace with the escalating required run rate. The lack of substantial partnerships and the relentless pressure applied by Kaani’s bowlers meant that the chase gradually slipped away. Madhoshi eventually finished their innings at 117 for 5, falling short by 38 runs.

Player of the Match Performance

Mohamed Shifaan was undoubtedly the star of the match, delivering a match-winning all-round performance. His composed 74 with the bat provided the backbone for Kaani’s total, and his incisive three-wicket haul with the ball choked Madhoshi’s chase, ultimately securing the victory for his team.

Before the tournament began CBM President Mohamed Faisal and VP Ahmed Ishaq officially set the stage with a special Jersey Handover Ceremony for the squads. The kits looked sharp and the boys were ready!

Awards presented by U16 Tour Manager Mohamed Faisal & CBM President Mohamed Faisal.

Champions: Team Kaani
Runnersup: Team Madhoshi

Most Promising Player – Izz Al Din (11-year-old) from Team HELENBELI for his unwavering skill with the bat & ball

Best Batsmen – Kathum Shifaz Ali from Team FUNA for becoming the leading run scorer with 123 runs in total in the tournament

Best Bowler – Mohamed Shifan from Team KAANI for taking the most number of wickets in the tournament, 10 wickets in total with the best figure of 5 wickets in 4 overs for 5 runs by any player in the tournament.

Best Fielder – Mohamed Yaseen from Team HELEBELI for taking 02 catches in the tournament

Most Valuable Player – Mohamed Shifan for becoming the highest wicket taker (10 wickets) and 2nd highest runs scorer (110 runs) and accumulating 851 points for his valuable contribution in the tournament.