Panama national cricket team

Cricket was introduced to Panama by colonials from the West Indies during the creation of the Panama Canal. After the colonials left the country, most of the nation's attention was turned to Cricket. The growing number of inhabitants of Indian origin created a group called the Indian Society. [8] The purpose of this society was to create opportunities for relationships and to find new venues in which cricket could be played. Due to this effort, the popularity of the game grew. Panama joined the ICC as an Affiliate Member in 2002 and since then, cricket has been flourishing among the younger population of the country.

2018-Present

In April 2018, the ICC decided to grant full Twenty20 International (T20I) status to all its members. Therefore, all Twenty20 matches played between Panama and other ICC members after 1 January 2019 will be a full T20I.[9]

In September 2018,Panama took part in 2018–19 ICC T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier,finished on 3rd place in Northern Sub Region.[10]

Panama play their first ever Twenty20 International match against Costa Rica in 2019 Central American Cricket Championship.

25 April 2019 11:30 Scorecard

Costa Rica  112/5 (20 overs)	v	Panama 113/3 (15.4 overs)
Joel Cutinho 32 (37) Dilip Dahyabhai Ahir 2/11 (2 overs)		Yusuf Ebrahim 35* (23) Zain ul Tashnam 1/16 (4 overs)

Panama won by 7 wickets Reforma Athletic Club, Naucalpan Umpires: Bob Baxter (Mex) and Dilip Pachichigar (Mex) Player of the match: Imran Bulbulia (Pan)

• Costa Rica won the toss and elected to bat.

On 3rd May 2019, International Cricket Council release first ever global rankings for Twenty20 International in which Panama were placed on 52nd rank.[11]

The team's first international matches in recent years came in a friendly series played against Venezuela in 2000, which Panama won 1–0. Panama was invited to play in the fourth South American Cricket Championships later that year. The team performed well in its first international tournament, finishing fourth of the seven teams.

Panama has been playing without the services of a national coach. Playing in recent regional ICC tournaments, Panama has finished second and third, ahead of countries such as Belize, Brazil, and Turkey and Caicos. The most recent participation came in the 2010 Americas Division Two, held in the Bahamas, where the team won three matches out of four and only missed out on promotion on net run-rate.

The chief concern is the loss of cricket grounds. During recent years, four grounds have been lost to soccer due to financial difficulties. The Panama Cricket Association is therefore looking to a secure a ground for its national players.

Plans are being made to start coaching for junior players but once again this is limited by finances as use of a gym is required, due to a rainy season that lasts for eight months of the year.

In 2002, Panama was granted affiliate status by the ICC along with a number of other countries in the Americas Region. Two years later, they hosted their first international tournament, the Americas Affiliate Championships. They finished as runners up to the Bahamas, just missing out on qualification for the ICC Americas Championship.

The affiliates tournament was expanded to a multi-division competition in 2006, and Panama was placed in Division Two. They finished third in that tournament, which was played in Argentina, behind the hosts and the Bahamas. They retained their place in Division Two for 2008. In this part of the competition, played in Suriname, Panama finished in third place and remained in the division for the next cycle, in 2010. In the same year, Panama also finished in 3rd place behind Suriname and the hosts, the Bahamas. In the 2011 Championship, Panama stayed as runners-up behind Suriname in Division 2.

Panama entered and hosted the Central American Championships for the first time in 2009. They came in as favorites, being the strongest Central American international side, and won the competition. The tournament was their first international Twenty20 competition.

Panama also took part in the America Regional T20 3rd Division Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina in March 2014.

Panama's squad for 2019 Central American Cricket Championshipfrom 25-28 April 2019.[14]

• Imran Bulbulia (c)
• Breeze Ahir
• Dilip Dahyabhai Ahir
• Khengar Ratilal
• Vimal Chandra
• Yusuf Ebrahim
• Abdullah Jasat
• Mahmud Jasat
• Rizwan Mangera
• Anilkumar Natubhai Ahir
• Mitulkumar Patel
• Mohmad Patel
• Dipakkumar Patel
• Parish Bharat Patel
• Suhel Patel
• Vijay Sachdev
• Mahmad Data
• Parth Jayeshbhai Patel
• Vishal Ahir
• Rehman Mankda

International Match Summary — Panama[15]

Last updated 27 April 2019

Twenty20 International

• Panama's highest score: 148/6 v Mexico, 27 April 2019 at Reforma Athletic Club, Naucalpan[16]
• Highest individual score: 72, Yusuf Ebrahim v Mexico, 27 April 2019 at Reforma Athletic Club, Naucalpan[17]
• Best bowling figures in an innings: 2/11, Dilip Dahyabhai Ahir v Costa Rica, 25 April 2019 at Reforma Athletic Club, Naucalpan[18]

Most T20I runs for Panama[19] Player Runs Average Career span Yusuf Ebrahim 137 68.50 2019–2019 A Natubhai Ahir 64 21.33 2019–2019 Suhel Patel 40 40.00 2019–2019 Imran Bulbulia 40 13.33 2019–2019 Vimal Chandra 37 18.50 2019–2019

Most T20I wickets for Panama [20] Player Wickets Average Career span Imran Bulbulia 4 14.75 2019–2019 Khengar Ratilal 3 20.33 2019–2019 Dilip Dahyabhai Ahir 2 13.50 2019–2019 Dipakkumar Patel 2 21.00 2019–2019 Mahmad Data 1 31.00 2019–2019

T20I record versus other nations[15]

Records complete to T20I #770. Last updated 27 April 2019.

Opponent	M	W	L	T	NR	First match	First win
vs Associate Members
Belize	1	0	1	0	0	26 April 2019
Costa Rica	1	1	0	0	0	25 April 2019	25 April 2019
Mexico	1	1	0	0	0	27 April 2019	27 April 2019

• List of Panama Twenty20 International cricketers

• George Headley

• Panama Cricket.net