Brazil have finally claimed their first South American cricket title, ending a 31-year wait with a thrilling three-run victory over Panama in Sunday’s final in Colombia.
Brazil defended 128 in a dramatic finish. Panama needed 14 from the final over, but Brazil captain Michel Assuncao held his nerve to close out the win and seal the country’s first championship in the competition.
Assuncao had already made 30 with the bat before taking two wickets. His decisive over earned him the player-of-the-match award.
Panama appeared to have the momentum when Sufian Tarazia smashed a six from the fourth delivery. A wide and a bye then left Panama needing four from the final two balls.
Assuncao responded brilliantly. Irfan Hafejee, who had made 27, fell to the fifth ball before the final delivery produced no runs.
Brazil had entered the tournament’s 21st edition with plenty of near misses behind them. They had finished runners-up in 2022 and 2024, but had never gone all the way despite taking part in 20 of the competition’s 21 editions.
Their breakthrough prompted an emotional reaction from Cricket Brazil.
“History for the first time. Brazil’s men’s cricket team are South American champions,” the organisation posted on social media.
“This title opens a new chapter for Brazilian cricket. We are champions. We are Brazil.”
The tournament began in 1995 and initially took place every two years. It became an annual event from 2013, apart from a two-year break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
Argentina had dominated the competition for much of its history. They won 12 of the first 19 editions they entered and at one stage even sent development squads instead of their senior side.
Argentina did not compete in the latest two editions, with their cricket programme now competing at a higher level.
Brazil’s cricket history, however, stretches much further back than its international recognition suggests. The country played its first international match against Argentina in 1888, although the Brazilian Cricket Association only joined the ICC in 2002 and gained Associate status in 2017.
Argentina’s cricket history runs deeper. Their first international came against Uruguay in 1868, while they became an ICC Associate Member in 1974.
Argentina also faced Bangladesh in three ICC Trophy tournaments, in 1986, 1994 and 1997, losing all three matches.
