CRICKET – BAHRAIN’S senior men’s cricket national team put in a dominant performance to clinch their 50-overs bilateral series against Malaysia, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead after a thrilling 41-run victory at Bayuemas Oval in the Malaysian city of Klang.
After a hard-fought 15-run win (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method) in the opening contest on Thursday, Bahrain delivered another comprehensive display to seal the head-to-head with a match to spare, which is to be played tomorrow.
Bahrain’s victory in match two was a tale of two halves for the visitors. Asked to bat first, Bahrain found themselves in dire straits, collapsing to a precarious 110 for nine. It was at this moment that a record-breaking last-wicket partnership turned the game on its head.
All-rounder Rizwan Butt (36) and the resilient Imran Khan (48 not out) staged a remarkable rescue mission, adding an unbeaten 87 runs for the 10th wicket. Khan was the aggressor, smashing five towering sixes in his 48-ball knock, while Butt provided able support with two fours and a six. This incredible stand propelled Bahrain to a fighting total of 197 all out in 46.1 overs.
Defending their score, Bahrain’s bowlers rose to the occasion with a disciplined and incisive performance. The hero with the bat, Butt, transformed into the destroyer-in-chief with the ball. He claimed three crucial wickets for just 19 runs in his eight overs, applying relentless pressure on the Malaysian middle order. He was ably supported by Abdul Majid Abbasi, who also picked up three wickets for 21 runs, and Asif Ali, who chipped in with two.
The Malaysian batting line-up crumbled under the pressure, bowled out for just 156 in 45.2 overs. Hairil Harisan was the top scorer for the hosts with 30 runs, but they found no answer to the Bahrain spin and pace attack.
The series victory was set up in the first 50 overs. In that opening clash, half-centuries from Ahmer Bin Nasir (68) and Fiaz Ahmed (50) guided Bahrain to a total of 215 all out. In reply, despite a fighting 56 from Virandeep Singh, Malaysia were restricted to 192 all out.
A rain interruption adjusted the target via the DLS method, handing Bahrain a 15-run victory with Ali Dawood starring with three wickets.
With the series already in the bag, Bahrain will now look to complete a clean sweep when the two sides meet for the third and final 50 overs tomorrow at the same venue. A 3-0 whitewash would be the perfect end to a highly successful tour for the visitors to get back in winning form and rise up in the International Cricket Council rankings.
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