Always evenly matched at whatever level they play, Singapore and Malaysia set the standard for the U-16 Elite Cup today by being the only two sides to be able to take their match deep into the scheduled overs available.

Singapore batted first, making 194 off their 40 overs and then bowled out Malaysia for 141 in the 36th over of the Malaysian innings.

Batting wasn’t easy on a wicket that took considerable turn but the fact that it was slow turn and because a number of batsmen on both sides displayed good footwork, the spinners on both sides didn’t have it all their way.

Nik Nabil (2-32) bowled well for Malaysia

Bhaktapur’s picturesque ground isn’t at all friendly to pace-bowlers and today the spinners bowled three-quarters of the overs available. Singapore’s Iishan Shekhar (52) and Vikas Rajagopal (56) took the game away from Malaysia with a second-wicket stand of 92 off 86 balls. Both survived chances, which had they been taken, would have undoubtedly changed the course of the match, for after Rajagopal Singapore don’t have batters of too much fluency.

	Vikas Rajagopal, a brisk half-century

Nevertheless, Singapore showed considerable heart as did Malaysia, in conditions which were alien to the lush turf on which they play their matches at home. And there was a lot of turn on the bone dry surface. The sides conceded 46 wides without bowling badly. “On this wicket, Shane Warne would have bowled wides,” said Singapore’s coach Arjun Menon afterwards.

His spinners shone brightest, with tall Shivam Ahuja and increasingly taller Abhiraj Singh (who has played U-19 cricket for Singapore) being the stars. Slow left-armer Abhiraj has terrific variation and is a big competitor. Off-spinner Shivam took a hat-trick, spread over two overs, reward for a consistently testing line and length. “They were scoring quickly but taking wickets is always the best way to slow the run-rate and as long as we did that, we were going to be safe,” the Man of the Match said afterwards.

	Man of the Match: Shivam Ahuja receives his award from Bhaktapur Cricket's Uttam Karmacharya

Plenty of talent on both sides, many are going to play for the seniors too and what they learnt today, about ‘gutsing things out’ will undoubtedly help them. Andre Agassi’s Brad Gilbert made a successful career out of ‘Winning Ugly’, Singapore did just that today. Quite beautifully.

Malaysia v Singapore at Army School Ground
SINGAPORE WON BY 53 RUNS
Malaysia won the toss and elected to field
Singapore: 194 for 9 off 40 overs (I. Shekhar 52, V. Rajagopal 56)
Malaysia: 141 off 35.2 overs (A. Hussein 30, M. Ramli 33; A Singh 3-24, S. Ahuja 4-32)
Man of the Match: Shivam Ahuja (Singapore)
Scorecard

Tournament page

Pictures courtesy Aric Tan

Filed March 8th, 2010