Panama national cricket team

History

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. 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.

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

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

Grounds

• Clayton Panama, Panama City

International competition

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

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

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

ICC T20 World Cup Americas Regional Final

ICC T20 World Cup Americas Sub-regional Qualifiers

South American Championship

Central American Championship

Americas Affiliates Championship

ICC Americas Championship Division Two

Current squad

Updated as on 17 April 2025

This lists all the active players who played for Panama in the 2025 Men's Central American Championship and the home series against Falkland Islands.

Records

International Match Summary — Panama

Last updated 31 October 2025

Twenty20 International

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

Most T20I runs for Panama

Most T20I wickets for Panama

T20I record versus other nations

Records complete to T20I #3539. Last updated 30 October 2025.

References

Notes

References

1. (22 June 2017). "Ireland and Afghanistan ICC newest full members amid wide-ranging governance reform". [[International Cricket Council]].
2. "The Home of CricketArchive". cricketarchive.co.uk.
3. [http://content.cricinfo.com/other/content/story/84337.html Venezuela to play Panama this weekend] at cricinfo.com
4. (26 April 2018). "All T20 matches between ICC members to get international status". International Cricket Council.
5. "Panama - Affiliate Members - ICC Members - ICC Cricket". icc-cricket.com.
6. (26 September 2018). "Cricket growing in Carolina". North State Journal.
7. (11 December 2000). "South American Cricket Championships 2000, Final Report".
8. "Records / Panama / Twenty20 Internationals / Result summary". [[ESPNcricinfo]].
9. "Records / Panama / Twenty20 Internationals / Highest totals". ESPNcricinfo.
10. "Records / Panama / Twenty20 Internationals / High scores". ESPNcricinfo.
11. "Records / Panama / Twenty20 Internationals / Best bowling figures". ESPNcricinfo.
12. "Records / Panama / Twenty20 Internationals / Most runs". [[ESPNcricinfo]].
13. "Records / Panama / Twenty20 Internationals / Most wickets". [[ESPNcricinfo]].