QATAR reserved their best for last to beat the hitherto unbeaten Saudi Arabia by five wickets on the concluding day yesterday to win the ICC World Cricket League Asia Qualifier in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
With this victory, Qatar gains a place in cricket’s main global structure for the first time.
Meanwhile, Bahrain struggled to a 55-run win over Bhutan, their fourth victory in six matches to finish third on eight points.
But all eyes were on the crunch clash between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The Saudis had won their first five matches while Qatar had lost to Bahrain and were two points behind their final round opponents.
Bowling first, Qatar began strongly and reduced Saudi Arabia to 22 for four by the 10th over before bundling them out for 94 in 43.3 overs.
Mohammed Nadeed (3-11) and captain Inam-ul-Haq (3-10) were the main wicket-takers for Qatar.
In reply, Qatar also suffered a mini collapse early in the innings slumping to 24 for four by the seventh over.
But Tamoor Sajjad (28*, 26 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) came to their rescue as he added 41 runs for the fifth wicket with Zaheer Ibrahim (25, 27 balls, five fours) and an unbroken 31 for the sixth with Dharmang Patel (15*, 18 balls, 3 fours) to steer them to a historic victory.
More importantly, Sajjad ensured Qatar finished the tournament with a better net run-rate.
By reaching the target in just 18.1 overs that task was accomplished as Qatar pipped Saudi for the title by virtue of a better run rate.
Batting first, Bahrain survived a scare after being reduced to 39 for six by the ninth over.
Tahir Dar (68, 98 balls, 6 fours, 4 sixes) once again bailed out Bahrain adding 57 runs for the seventh wicket with Muhamad Safdar, who made a patient 39-ball eight, and 40 with Bilal Mansoor (27, 64 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) before falling leg-before to Kumar Subba.
Bahrain eventually were all out for 154 in 43.1 overs.
However, Bahrain defended the modest target as Tahir shone with the ball as well claiming three wickets for 16 runs while Mansoor returned with figures of three for 12 as Bhutan were all out for 99 in 42.3 overs.
In the other match, hosts Thailand shocked Kuwait by seven wickets.