The first match of the Commonwealth Games Women’s Cricket Qualifier 2022 will be played between Malaysia and Bangladesh on January 18 at Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Squads
Malaysia: Winifred Duraisingam (c), Nik Nur Atiela, Sasha Azmi, Aisya Eleesa, Mas Elysa, Ainna Hamizah Hashim, Jamahidaya Intan, Wan Julia (wk), Dhanusri Muhunan, Nur Arianna Natsya, Nur Natasya Nazira, Amalin Sorfina, Elsa Hunter, Yusrina Yaakop, Wan Nor Zulaika, Mahirah Izzati Ismail, Noor Hayati Zakaria
Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana (c, wk), Rumana Ahmed, Sharmin Akhter, Nahida Akter, Sanjida Akter Meghla, Suraiya Azmin, Fargana Hoque, Fahima Khatun, Murshida Khatun, Salma Khatun, Lata Mondal, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Shamima Sultana (wk), Fariha Trisna
Players to watch out for
Mas Elysa:
She is the second-most experienced player in the Malaysian line-up. She has played 25 T20Is between 2018 and 2021. She is a right-handed batter and a right arm leg spinner. She has mustered 369 runs, including the best of 43 not out and has picked up 16 wickets in 19 innings, including the best of 6-3. She has the best bowling figures in an innings by a Malaysian woman and the third best overall. She is the leading run-getter and wicket-taker for Malaysia in T20Is.
Elsa Hunter:
She is a right-handed batter who has been a part of 15 T20Is for Malaysia since making her debut in 2019 against Nepal. She has scored 184 runs, including the best of 42 not out. She is a top-order batter.
Salma Khatun:
The senior pro is one of the most experienced players in the side with 111 international matches to her name. She has played 37 ODIs and 74 T20Is. She is a right-handed batter and a right-arm-off spinner. She has scored 928 international runs, including one half century and picked up 107 wickets, including one four-wicket haul.
Rumana Ahmed:
The experienced all-rounder has been playing for Bangladesh since 2011. She is a right-handed batter and a right arm leg spinner. She has featured in 107 international matches, including 42 ODIs and 65 T20Is. She has scored 1639 international runs and accounted for 102 wickets. She is a genuine all-rounder of the team.
Pitch
At this venue, 15 WT20Is have been played so far. Teams batting first have won seven and teams batting second have won eight. Bangladesh have played five matches here and won all, while Malaysia have played two games and lost both. The highest score here has been 195 and the lowest in 27. The wicket is good to bat on, provided the batters are willing to spend some time in the middle. Spinners have enjoyed bowling here.
Weather
The weather is expected to be mostly cloudy. The average temperature will be in the range of 27 and 29 degrees Celsius. There is around 30% chance of rain in the latter half of the game with isolated thunderstorms. The wind will blow from the north-east.
Fantasy playing XI
Nigar Sultana, Elsa Hunter, Fargana Hoque, Mahirah Ismail, Mas Elysa, Ritu Moni, Rumana Ahmed, Salma Khatun, Arianna Natsya, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter
Match details
Date: January 18, 2022
Time: 7am IST
Venue: Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.