Virandeep steers Malaysia to victory over Thailand

MALAYSIA started their SEEA Games cricket campaign inn style as Virandeep Singh’s halff century helped them to a 160-run win over Thailand in thee 50 overs match at the Kinrara Oval.

Cricket is making its SEA Games debut.

Virandeep ended the day with 79 runs to be the best batsman.

Thailand won the toss and elected to field and Malaysia chalked up 265-6 before taking to the field. In a show of impressive bowling, they had Thailand all out for 105 in 35 overs.

It was Thailand’s second match after their nine-wicket opening day win over Myanmar.

The Malaysians played a patient game and were in command from the start as they quickly established themselves with a solid scores through openers Mohd Anwar Arudin (42) and Mohamad Norwira Zazmie Abdul Halim (19).

Virandeep then came on and slowly but surely chalked up an impressive 79 from 86 balls to lead Malaysia to victory.

Malaysia will play Myanmar in their second match on Monday. Malaysian team manager R. Shanker was happy to see his men get past Thailand in their opening match.

“There’s always some nervousness in the first game. But we managed to get it right after a hesitant start. Thailand had some good players and their batting was decent.

“We were slow and the wickets were not that good in the morning. But we delivered.

“We play Myanmar next, but it is the game against Singapore ( on Aug 23) that matters most. We hope to be ready for them.”

Singapore chalked up a nine-wicket opening day win over Indonesia on Thursday.