15 August 2006
SAUDI’S SUHRAB MAKES MAYHEM IN MALAYSIA
Malaysia v Saudi Arabia at Selangor Turf Club
MALAYSIA WON BY 15 RUNS
In the best match of the competition so far, Malaysia pulled off
a narrow 15-run victory to beat Saudi Arabia at the Selangor Turf
Club.
But it was close, very close.
Saudi Arabia were chasing a monster 304 which Malaysia had put up
on the back of Sevaratnam and Madhavan’s opening partnership
of 104, enterprising batting by Kodikara, Krishanamurthi and Muthuraman
and an awesome century from captain Suresh Navaratnam.
Navaratnam, coming in at 155 in the 33rd over played superbly to
punch the ball through the field and raced to a hundred off just
70 deliveries. He found the boundary, ran hard, and timed the ball
superbly.
Saudi Arabia’s bowlers toiled manfully and had it not been
for a surfeit of wides and 18 overs from Shehzad, Ahmed and Qayyum
which went for 151, kept Malaysia’s batsmen honest.
However, it was a great batting track and the outfield remained
lightning fast throughout the day as Saudi Arabia themselves proved.
Starting steadily, with openers Suleiman and Aslam putting on 44
in ten overs for the first wicket, the game came to life once Suhrab
was at the crease.
Helmetless throughout, he lived dangerously at the start, but once
he settled, freed his arms and planted his feet, he took full advantage
of the conditions and played an innings which had Malaysia reeling.
Saudi Arabia were in touch with the required run-rate when Suleiman
fell in the 21st over with the score on 115 but the game really swung
Saudi Arabia’s way with a 5th-wicket partnership of 104 in
14.1 overs between Suhrab and Sarfraz Ahmed. To pitch the ball on
a length meant a spanking and to stray even marginally meant severe
punishment.
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| Arudin almost gets Suhrab early |
Ahmed’s fall for 41 to a smart catch by Suresh Navaratnam
off the impressive Anwar Arudin was a turning point.
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| Suhrab encouraging Suleiman |
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Suhrab had passed a 100 by then, having scored runs at will, hitting
the ball freely on both sides of the wicket and with the target within
touching distance, Malaysia’s options were running out. All
the front-line bowlers were licking their wounds but with the game
in the balance, Navaratnam turned to off-spinner Eszrafiq Azis to
make something, anything, salvation happen.
Eszrafiq has the virtue of speed through the air and accuracy, and
enough self-belief to back himself in a crisis. He conceded nine
runs in his first over, when Suhrab and Ahmed were together but had
bowled well nevertheless. Eszrafiq’s third over, the 47th of
the innings was critical. Suhrab stepped out to drive, the ball yorked
him, the bat coming down a fraction tool ate and the ball clipped
the side of leg-stump.
It had been an awesome innings, 133 off 120 deliveries with nineteen
4s and one 6. He went off to a generous round of applause from players
and home fans, Malaysia’s joy was unconfined when four balls
later, Eszrafiq had Saeed caught and bowled.
Saudi’s remaining batsmen found the pressure and Eszrafiq’s
darts too much and they were all out for 289 at the end of the 49th
over.
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| Suhrab taking on Kodikara |
“Ten overs to go, they (Saudi Arabia) were winning the game,” said
John Bailey, Malaysia’s coach. “I was proud of the
way our boys kept their heads up and fought for everything throughout.”
It was a critical victory for Malaysia in terms of the future. In
a group with UAE, had they lost this match they would have found
quarter-final qualification very difficult. As it is, they now take
a lot of confidence into their game against UAE on Saturday.
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| Eszrafiq reaches for a bunch |
Malaysia v Saudi Arabia at Selangor Turf Club
Toss: Saudi Arabia
MALAYSIA WON BY 15 RUNS
Malaysia: 304 for 4 (R. Selvaratnam 46, R. Madhavan 45, T. Kodikara
30, S. Navaratnam 105*, D. Muthuraman 33)
Saudi Arabia: 289 in 49 overs (F. Suleiman 36, K. Suhrab 133, S.
Ahmed 41; E. Azis 5-28)
Man of the Match: Eszrafiq Aziz (Malaysia)
Points: Malaysia 2, Saudi Arabia 0
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