Tough times for Malaysia
Thursday, 19 March 2009 18:40
THE pressure is really on for Malaysia when the fifth edition of the International Under 15 Cricket Challenge gets underway at the Bayuemas Oval in Klang from March 29 to April 5.
In the three-nation affair, the tussle for the Tuanku Ja'afar International Trophy will again pit Malaysia against Sri Lanka, the defending champions, and Singapore. But based on their recent performances since the tournament was inaugurated in April 2004, the Malaysians are in for a rough ride this time.
In the three-nation affair, the tussle for the Tuanku Ja'afar International Trophy will again pit Malaysia against Sri Lanka, the defending champions, and Singapore. But based on their recent performances since the tournament was inaugurated in April 2004, the Malaysians are in for a rough ride this time.
"Although the squad have been given the exposure, by competing in an international tournament in Sri Lanka since 2007, the players are no longer impressive when it comes to batting and fielding," said national under 15 coach Balakrishnan TN Nair.
Malaysia's best achievement in this tournament, organised by the Malay Cricket Association of Malaysia (MCAM) as part their development programme, was in 2007 when the national squad emerged champions.
"We are still looking for that extra edge to help produce a winning team but unfortunately, several players from this squad have quit the national team because they want to concetrate on studies, a choice considered top priority by most Malaysians," said Balakrishnan, a former national all-rounder.
Singapore, in contrast, have put all their energy into their development programme for the past five years and the team definitely have ambitions of toppling Malaysia besides offering a stiff challenge to the Sri Lankans.
Since they won the Under 15 Asian Cup two years ago, the Singaporeans have been going all out to improve their cricket standard at junior level, in tandem with the rise of their senior team.
"We come here determined to make it to the final," said the deputy president of the Singapore Cricket Association, Mahmood Gaznavi.
Naturally Sri Lanka, who are competing under the banner of the Sri Lankan Schools Cricket Association, are dead serious about retaining their title.
The teams will play each other twice in this 40-over tournament which will again see the use the white ball. The top two teams will meet in the final.
Meanwhile, all the teams should enjoy playing on the superb pitch at the Bayuemas Oval, thanks to the excellent work of curator Faruqul Islam Mominul Haque from Bangladesh.
Malaysia's best achievement in this tournament, organised by the Malay Cricket Association of Malaysia (MCAM) as part their development programme, was in 2007 when the national squad emerged champions.
"We are still looking for that extra edge to help produce a winning team but unfortunately, several players from this squad have quit the national team because they want to concetrate on studies, a choice considered top priority by most Malaysians," said Balakrishnan, a former national all-rounder.
Singapore, in contrast, have put all their energy into their development programme for the past five years and the team definitely have ambitions of toppling Malaysia besides offering a stiff challenge to the Sri Lankans.
Since they won the Under 15 Asian Cup two years ago, the Singaporeans have been going all out to improve their cricket standard at junior level, in tandem with the rise of their senior team.
"We come here determined to make it to the final," said the deputy president of the Singapore Cricket Association, Mahmood Gaznavi.
Naturally Sri Lanka, who are competing under the banner of the Sri Lankan Schools Cricket Association, are dead serious about retaining their title.
The teams will play each other twice in this 40-over tournament which will again see the use the white ball. The top two teams will meet in the final.
Meanwhile, all the teams should enjoy playing on the superb pitch at the Bayuemas Oval, thanks to the excellent work of curator Faruqul Islam Mominul Haque from Bangladesh.
Fixtures:
March 29:
Malaysia vs Singapore
March 30:
Sri Lanka vs Singapore
March 31:
Malaysia vs Sri Lanka
April 1:
Malaysia vs Singapore
April 2:
Sri Lanka vs Singapore
April 3:
Malaysia vs Sri Lanka
April 5:
Final
(All matches start at 10.0am at the Bayuemas Oval)
IN DEFENSIVE MODE: Malaysian batsman Fikri Makram Rosdi in action against Sri Lanka in last year's final. Sri Lanka won by four wickets
FAST BALL: Malaysia's medium pace bowler Ramdan Samsudin attacks the Sri Lankan batsman during the final at the Bayuemas Oval in April last year.