Malaysia gun down 243 in another thrilling final in Hong Kong China
By Jay Dasinghani

In spite of the home side’s absence from the One Day Series Final, crowds flocked to the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground to witness Malaysia stun Canada in a last-over thriller to cap off another successful multi-nation series organized by Cricket Hong Kong, China.

Despite needing 45 runs off 18 balls with a mere three wickets in hand, Vijay Unni (23*) and Wafiq Irfan (12*) struck a fearless procession of boundaries to carry the home side to a target of 244 with one ball left in a reduced 34-over contest.

Earlier in the day, Malaysia put Canada into bat, finding early swing and early wickets. Rizwan Haider had Aaron Johnson caught for 18 after the right-hander edged an outswinger to Khizar Hayat in the slips. Hayat would take another catch when Syed Aziz dismissed Yuvraj Samra with a near-identical delivery off his first ball to leave Canada in a spot of bother at 30 for two in the fourth over.

In spite of wickets falling around him, left-hander Nicolas Kirton kept Canada in the games, striking 52 with the assistance of six fours and two sixes, the best of which was arguably a clip off his toes that flew over deep mid wicket.

Hayat, however, came into the attack and put the squeeze on Canada, conceding a mere 29 runs in his seven overs on a batting paradise.

Dilpreet Bajwa and Shreyas also struck half-centuries to push Canada to a total that seemed competitive at the time.

In the second innings, Sharvin Muniandy and Ahmad Faiz top-scored with 70 and 67, respectively, putting on 131 for the third wicket.

Uday Bhagwan starred for Malaysia, picking up four wickets, which included Syed Aziz who was trapped in front, and the big scalp of Sharvin who was surprised by a shorter delivery, mistiming it to Bajwa at long off.

Sharvin was crowned Player of the Final and was singled out for praise by Virandeep Singh at the Final Presentation for scoring 237 runs in three innings and ending as the series’ top run-scorer.

Malaysia will stay on in Hong Kong China, playing the home side in three more One Day games starting on Tuesday at the Hong Kong Cricket Club before the action moves back to the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.

Brief Scores:

Malaysia 244/7 in 33.5 Overs (Sharvin 70, Faiz 67, Vijay Unni 23*, Bhagwan 4-43) beat Canada 243/7 in 34 Overs (Bajwa 61, Syed Aziz 2-22, Haider 2-29) by 1 Wicket with 1 Ball remaining