RIYADH: Malaysia has defeated Saudi Arabia by eight wickets in the opening Group A fixture of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2023 taking place in Nepal.
The tournament, which started on April 18, is an integral part of the Asian Cricket Council’s new pathway structure, acting as a final qualification stage for the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan, itself a preparatory competition for the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India.
Malaysia won the toss and elected to field first at the Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu. The Saudis were then bowled all out for a total of 153 runs in 46.2 overs.
With the opening pair unable to make a good start, the men in green struggled to recover and lost wickets at regular intervals.
The first wicket came with just four runs on the board, Waqar Ul-Hassan heading back to the pavilion having managed two runs from two balls.
Saudi Arabia then lost a second and third wicket in quick succession with their runs total on 17 and 21, respectively. Opener Abdul Waheed attempted to steady the ship but was bowled out leg before wicket on 36 runs by Khizar Hayat.
Haseeb Ghafoor was Saudi Arabia’s highest scorer with 40 runs from 78 balls, before he fell to bowler Muhammad Wafiq.
The Saudi captain Hisham Sheikh managed 21 runs from 37 balls, with the other batsman making double figures, Atif-Ur-Rehman, remaining not out on 18 runs from 31 balls.
Hayat was the star bowler for the dominant Malaysian attack, winning man of the match after claiming three wickets in 10 overs, conceding just 13 runs, and bowling one maiden over.
Wafiq, Rizwan Haider, and Anwar Rahman all took two wickets each.
The Malaysian batsmen comfortably hit their team’s required target, amassing 154 runs for the loss of two wickets.
There were half-tons for openers Muhammad Amir (56) and Virandeep Singh (51), while Syed Aziz (34) and Muhamad Syahadat (four) safely led the team to victory in 21.2 overs, remaining not out. The other nine runs came from wides and no balls.
Saudi Arabia will play their next match on Saturday against Qatar at the TU Ground, in Kathmandu.
The winner of the cup will qualify for the 16th edition of the Asia Cup in September.
The tournament will be contested by six teams, with the five full members of the ACC — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka — being joined by the winners of the ACC Premier Cup.