The ninth match of the Commonwealth Games Women’s Cricket Qualifier 2022 will be played between Malaysia and Kenya on January 23 at Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Both the teams have not won a single match out of their three matches. This match is going to be a dead rubber since the two teams are placed at the bottom of the points table.
Match preview
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
Kenya: Margaret Ngoche (c), Queentor Abel, Veronica Abuga, Ruth Achando (wk), Lavendah Idambo, Sharon Juma (wk), Sylvia Kinyua, Mary Mwangi, Monicah Ndhambi, Daisy Njoroge, Mercyline Ochieng, Flavia Odhiambo, Venasa Ooko, Jane Otieno, Esther Wachira, Sarah Wetoto
Players to watch out for
Winifred Suraisingam:
The captain of Malaysia top scored with an unbeaten 42 off 54 balls, including four boundaries in her last game against Sri Lanka. The right handed opening batter provided a solid start to her team. Earlier with the ball, she opened the bowling and accounted for 1-30 in her four overs.
Nur Dania Syuhada:
The right arm off spinner was the pick of the bowlers for Malaysia in her last match against Sri Lanka. She scalped 1-25 in her four overs. She was the most economical bowler for the team. She bowled consistent lines and lengths and yielded good results.
Sarah Wetoto:
The right handed middle order bat top scored for Kenya against Scotland in her last match. She plundered 24 runs off just 16 balls and helped her team to reach closer to the opposition’s target. With the ball, the right arm off spinner chipped in with 1-15 off her two overs.
Sharon Juma:
The wicket-keeper bat was the only other batter apart from Wetoto to score in double digits in the last match against Scotland. The middle order bat mustered an unbeaten 10 off 13 balls. Malaysia will want her to shoulder the batting responsibility of the middle order.
Pitch
The conditions have suited the batters more than the bowlers. The batters can score big runs provided they are willing to spend some time in the middle. Bowlers, on the other hand, will have to be patient and consistent to pick up wickets. Toss will play an important role, given the rain forecast.
Weather
The weather does not look too good as there are expected to be thunderstorms during the course of the match. There is around a 80% chance of precipitation during the match. The average temperature will be around 31 degrees Celsius. The wind will blow from the west-southwest at the start of play and change its course to blowing from the west as the match progresses.
Fantasy playing XI
Sharon Juma, Esther Wachira, Yusrina Yaakop, Venasa Ooko, Queentor Abel, Winifred Duraisingam, Mas Elysa, Sarah Wetoto, Arianna Natsya, Mercyline Ochieng, Nur Dania Syuhada
Match details
Date: January 23, 2022
Time: 10.45am IST
Venue: Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Live Score: FanCode
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.