Panama national cricket team

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|

Panama

Association| Panama Cricket Association
Personnel
Captain| Irfan Tarajia
Coach| Jagdish Ahir
International Cricket Council
ICC status| Associate member[1] (2017)
ICC region| Americas
| ICC Rankings|  Current[2]|  Best-ever

|
|

T20I|  81th|  51th (12-May-2019)
International cricket
First international| 1964 v Trinidad and Tobago at Panama
T20 Internationals
First T20I| v  Costa Rica at Reforma Athletic Club, Naucalpan; 25 April 2019
Last T20I| v  Mexico at Clayton, Panama City; 19 April 2025
| T20Is|  Played|  Won/Lost

|
|

Total[3]|  28|  9/19
(0 ties, 0 no results)
This year[4]|  3|  3/0
(0 ties, 0 no results)
T20 World Cup Qualifier appearances| 1[a] (first in 2023)
Best result| 4th place (2023)

T20I kit

As of 19 April 2025

The Panama national cricket team represents Panama in international cricket. The Panama Cricket Association became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2002[5] and is an associate member since 2017.[1] Their international debut is believed to have taken place against a side from Trinidad and Tobago in 1964.[6]

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 eligible to have full T20I status.[7]

## History

[edit]

Panama team during a T20I match against Bermuda for the 2023 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier.

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

[edit]

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.[7]

In September 2018, Panama took part in 2018–19 ICC T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier, finished on 3rd place in Northern Sub Region.[9]

Panama played 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)

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.
* First ever T20I match for Panama.

## Grounds

[edit]

* Clayton Panama, Panama City

Clayton Panama

class=notpageimage|

Locations of all stadiums which have hosted international cricket matches within Panama

## International competition

[edit]

Panama at the 2023 ICC Americas Sub-Regional Qualifier in Argentina

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 Turks 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.

## Development programme

[edit]

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.

## Progress in Tournaments since 2002

[edit]

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.

## Tournament history

[edit]

### ICC Americas Championship

[edit]

* 2000: Did not participate
* 2002: Did not participate
* 2004: Did not participate
* 2006: 3rd place (Division Two)
* 2008: 3rd place (Division Two)
* 2010: 3rd place (Division Two)
* 2011: 2nd place (Division Two)
* 2013: 2nd place (Division Two)

### Americas Affiliate Championship

[edit]

* 2001: 4th place
* 2004: 2nd place

### South American Cricket Championship

[edit]

* 2000: 4th place[10]

### Central American Championship

[edit]

* 2006: Did not participate
* 2007: Did not participate
* 2009: Winners
* 2015: Winners[11]
* 2019: 3rd place

### ICC T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier

[edit]

* 2018-19: 3rd place

## Players

[edit]

Panama's squad for 2023 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier from 25 February to 04 march 2023.

* Anilkumar Natubhai Ahir (wk)
* Khengar Bhai Ahir
* Nikunj Ahir
* Rahul Ahir
* Vishal Ahir
* Irfan Hafejee (c)
* Abdullah Jasat
* Mahmud Jasat
* Ahmadi Rawat
* Ahmed Patel
* Faizan Patel
* Huzaifa Patel (wk)
* Sohel Patel
* Mohmad Sohel Patel

## Records

[edit]

International Match Summary — Panama[12]

Last updated 19 April 2025

Playing Record

Format | M | W | L | T | NR | Inaugural Match
Twenty20 Internationals | 28 | 9 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 25 April 2019

### Twenty20 International

[edit]

* Panama's highest score: 148/6 v Mexico, 27 April 2019 at Reforma Athletic Club, Naucalpan[13]
* Highest individual score: 72, Yusuf Ebrahim v Mexico, 27 April 2019 at Reforma Athletic Club, Naucalpan[14]
* Best bowling figures in an innings: 4/26, Anilkumar Natubhai Ahir v Argentina on 10 November 2021 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.[15]

Most T20I runs for Panama[16]

| Player | Runs | Average | Career span

|
|
|

Anilkumar Natubhai Ahir | 322 | 12.38 | 2019–2025
Irfan Hafejee | 319 | 18.76 | 2021–2025
Yusuf Ebrahim | 291 | 14.55 | 2019–2024
Mahmud Jasat | 256 | 13.47 | 2021–2024
Mohmad Sohel Patel | 152 | 10.13 | 2019–2023

Most T20I wickets for Panama[17]

| Player | Wickets | Average | Career span

|
|
|

Irfan Hafejee | 23 | 18.26 | 2021–2025
Anilkumar Natubhai Ahir | 19 | 21.36 | 2019–2025
Rahul Ahir | 15 | 19.13 | 2023–2024
Khengar Ahir | 13 | 25.00 | 2019–2023
Ronitkumar Ahir | 11 | 2.63 | 2025–2025

T20I record versus other nations[12]

Records complete to T20I #3147. Last updated 19 April 2025.

Opponent | M | W | L | T | NR | First match | First win

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

vs Associate Members
Argentina | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 November 2021 | 25 February 2023
Bahamas | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 November 2021 | 13 November 2021
Belize | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 26 April 2019 |
Bermuda | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 11 November 2021 |
Brazil | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 December 2024 |
Canada | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 November 2021 |
Cayman Islands | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 March 2023 |
Costa Rica | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 April 2019 | 25 April 2019
Mexico | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 April 2019 | 27 April 2019
Suriname | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 December 2024 | 6 December 2024
Turks and Caicos Islands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 April 2025 | 17 April 2025
United States | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 November 2021 |

## See also

[edit]

* List of Panama Twenty20 International cricketers
* George Headley

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Ireland and Afghanistan ICC newest full members amid wide-ranging governance reform". International Cricket Council. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
2. ^ "ICC Rankings". International Cricket Council.
3. ^ "T20I matches - Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
4. ^ "T20I matches - 2025 Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
5. ^ "The Home of CricketArchive". cricketarchive.co.uk.
6. ^ Venezuela to play Panama this weekend at cricinfo.com
7. ^ a b "All T20 matches between ICC members to get international status". International Cricket Council. 26 April 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
8. ^ "Panama - Affiliate Members - ICC Members - ICC Cricket". icc-cricket.com.
9. ^ "Cricket growing in Carolina". North State Journal. 26 September 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
10. ^ "South American Cricket Championships 2000, Final Report" – ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
11. ^ "Central American Championship, Panama City, 2015" – Cricket Peru. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
12. ^ a b "Records / Panama / Twenty20 Internationals / Result summary". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
13. ^ "Records / Panama / Twenty20 Internationals / Highest totals". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
14. ^ "Records / Panama / Twenty20 Internationals / High scores". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
15. ^ "Records / Panama / Twenty20 Internationals / Best bowling figures". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
16. ^ "Records / Panama / Twenty20 Internationals / Most runs". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
17. ^ "Records / Panama / Twenty20 Internationals / Most wickets". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 May 2019.

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ T20 World Cup Qualifier refers to the Regional Final of the ICC Americas region from the 2023 edition.

## External links

[edit]

* Panama Cricket.net

* v
* t
* e

National sports teams of Panama

* Baseball
* U18
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* M
* M U/19
* M U/15
* W U/15
* Beach soccer
* Cricket
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* M
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* M
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* v
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National cricket teams

Full members (12)|

* Afghanistan
* Australia
* Bangladesh
* England2
* India
* Ireland3
* New Zealand
* Pakistan
* South Africa
* Sri Lanka
* West Indies1
* Zimbabwe

Associate
members (96)|

| ODI status|

* Canada
* Namibia
* Nepal
* Netherlands
* Oman
* Scotland
* United Arab Emirates
* United States

|

Other
associate
members|

* Argentina
* Austria
* Bahamas
* Bahrain
* Belgium
* Belize
* Bermuda
* Bhutan
* Botswana
* Brazil
* Bulgaria
* Cambodia
* Cameroon
* Cayman Islands
* Chile
* China
* Cook Islands
* Costa Rica
* Côte d'Ivoire
* Croatia
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* Saudi Arabia
* Serbia
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* Sierra Leone
* Singapore
* Slovenia
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* Spain
* St Helena
* Suriname
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Tajikistan
* Tanzania
* Thailand
* Turks and Caicos Islands
* Turkey
* Uganda
* Uzbekistan
* Vanuatu

Former members (6)|

* Brunei
* Cuba
* Morocco
* Russia
* Tonga
* Zambia

Dissolved members (3)|

* East Africa
* East and Central Africa
* West Africa

Non-members|

* Egypt
* Iceland
* Latvia
* Lithuania
* New Caledonia
* Poland
* Soloman Islands
* Tuvalu
* Ukraine
* Uruguay
* Vietnam

See also|

* Anguilla
* Antigua and Barbuda
* Barbados
* British Virgin Islands
* Dominica
* Grenada
* Guyana
* Jamaica
* Montserrat
* Northern Ireland
* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
* Saint Lucia
* Sint Maarten
* Trinidad and Tobago
* United States Virgin Islands
* Vatican City
* Wales

1 For Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Sint Maarten, the British Virgin Islands and the United States Virgin Islands the national team is the West Indies. 2 For England and Wales, the national team is England. 3 For the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, the national team is Ireland.
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