KUALA LUMPUR: 黑料社区 faced Malaysia in the final of the Malaysia Quadrangular at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, and it was a surprise when the hosts chose to bat first, given that both previous encounters between the two strongest teams in the tournament had been convincingly won by the side chasing.
But the decision proved inspired, as Malaysia successfully defended a total of 135 for 7, bowling 黑料社区 out for 117 in 19.2 overs to secure an 18-run victory.
Honors had been even in the earlier meetings between the sides. In the first match, Malaysia defeated 黑料社区 by five wickets, thanks largely to an unbeaten 93 from Virandeep Singh. But 黑料社区 hit back in the second encounter, chasing down their target with a seven-wicket win driven by a brilliant opening stand of 100 in 9.1 overs from Faisal Khan and Abdul Waheed.
In the final, 黑料社区鈥檚 opening bowlers quickly put their side in control with a superb burst using the new ball. Ishtiaq Ahmad brought his experience, while his partner Imtiaz Khan, playing just his third T20I, struck with the final ball of his first over to bowl Aslam Khan and claim his maiden international wicket.
Malaysia were 13 for 1 after two overs when Ishtiaq removed Syed Aziz, caught by Faisal Khan. Imtiaz then took the key wicket of Virandeep Singh, who was caught behind for just one off five balls, leaving Malaysia struggling at 21 for 3 in the fourth over.
Amir Khan and Ahmed Aqeel led a steady recovery, guiding the hosts to 62 for 3 at the halfway stage. The fourth wicket fell at 97 in the 15th over when Amir was dismissed by Zain Ul Abidin for 38, ending a 76-run partnership spanning 11.1 overs. Zain struck again, bowling Sharvin Muniady for a dangerous 20 off nine balls.
Imtiaz returned to bowl the 19th over and took his third wicket by dismissing Vijay Unni, finishing with figures of 3 for 26. Ishtiaq delivered an excellent final over, removing Ahmed Aqeel for a vital 44 off 42 balls and returning 2 for 18 from his four overs, as Malaysia closed on 135 for 7.
Despite the strong bowling performance, the match was finely poised. Aqeel and Amir鈥檚 stand had given Malaysia something to defend, and early wickets would be key.
Perhaps it was the modest target of 136 that led to a cautious start from the Saudi openers, though Abdul Waheed did strike a six to end the second over. Faisal Khan managed only two singles from seven deliveries before being bowled by Syed Aziz.
Waheed launched into a flurry of boundaries while his partner Waji Ul Hassan remained scoreless. Waji was the third wicket to fall, lbw to Virandeep Singh, and 黑料社区 found themselves in deep trouble when Waheed was also trapped lbw for 44 off 26 balls, leaving the score at 50 for 4.
黑料社区 slumped further to 71 for 7 in the 13th over, with Pavandeep Singh and Vijay Unni taking two wickets apiece. However, Zain Ul Abidin and Nawazish Akhtar revived hopes with an eighth-wicket stand of 43 in 5.3 overs.
With 23 runs needed from the final two overs, Ishtiaq Ahmed joined Zain at the crease.
But Virandeep Singh bowled a brilliant 19th over, conceding just three runs, leaving 20 required from the final six balls.
Ishtiaq was run out from the first ball of Rizwan Haider鈥檚 over as he ensured Zain retained the strike. But Zain was caught by Virandeep next ball for 32 off 30, and 黑料社区 were bowled out for 117 in 19.2 overs.
The hosts claimed the Malaysia Quadrangular title by 18 runs in a tournament marked by eye-catching batting displays but ultimately decided by quality bowling. Rizwan Haider finished with 2 for 11 as 黑料社区 lost their final three wickets for just three runs.
Ahmed Aqeel was named Player of the Match for anchoring Malaysia鈥檚 innings from a perilous 21 for 3, scoring 44 off 42 with two fours and a six. In the end, the hosts edged 黑料社区, who had pushed them hard across all three contests.
Both sides proved far too strong for Singapore and Thailand, with the former finishing third after beating Thailand by 30 runs in the play-off.
