Hong Kong are hosting Malaysia and China in a Tri-series from 7th May to 11th May 2026. Malaysia, led by skipper Winifred Duraisingham were up against China, led by skipper Mingyue Zhu, in the Tri-Series opener at Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok, Hong Kong on 7th May 2026.
Malaysia lost both the openers, including their skipper Winifred Duraisingham, inside the first four overs of the innings, after the Chinese skipper Mingyue Zhu won the toss and inserted them to bat first. Mahirah Izzati Ismail joined Mas Elysa at the crease, and the duo led some recovery with a much-needed 22-run partnership for the 3rd wicket.
Zhao Yihan broke the stand by sending Mahirah Izzati Ismail (10 off 12 balls) in the 9th over of the innings, providing the 3rd breakthrough for China. Decent partnerships throughout the innings kept the scoreboard ticking for Malaysia, but at the same time, they also kept losing wickets, which did not allow them to infuse momentum into their innings.
As a result, Malaysia were unable to breach the three-figure mark, managing just 91/8 in their quota of 20 overs. Dhanusri Muhunan 13 (14 balls), Nurin Imanina (12 off 20 balls), and Mas Elysa (11 off 25 balls) were the only other batters to enter the double digits with the bat for Malaysia. The Chinese bowlers were a bit wayward in their lines and lengths, conceding as many as 18 extras in the innings.
Zhao Yihan (3-0-10-2) and skipper Mingyue Zhu (4-0-16-2) picked up a couple of wickets each, while Jiaping Li (4-1-14-0), Ma Ruike (4-0-20-1), and Wang Huiying (3-0-16-0) were impressive with the ball for China.
Defending a low total, the Malaysian bowlers had a spring in their steps and the whole unit looked charged up. The energy in the field built up enough pressure, resulting in the departure of both the openers inside the first three overs of the run chase. Skipper Mingyue Zhu (16 off 30 balls) joined Cai Yuzhi at the crease, and the duo led the recovery with a much-needed 34-run partnership for the 3rd wicket.
A run-out against the run of play ended Cai Yuzhi’s stay (15 off 29 balls) at the crease in the 12th over of the run chase. Nurin Imanina struck twice in the same over, reducing China to 41/5. The Malaysian bowlers tightened the screws and pounced on the opening, not allowing the Chinese batters to make a comeback in the run chase. As a result, they were eventually bundled out for 65 in the 18th over of the run chase, falling 26 runs short of the target.
Chen Xinyu (10 off 13 balls) was the only other Chinese batter to enter the double digits. The extras column read 11 runs, thankfully for Malaysia, which didn’t cost them the game. Nurin Imanina (4-0-12-4), Mas Elysa (4-0-17-2), and Nur Daniya Syuhada (3-1-4-1) were the stand-out performers with the ball for Malaysia. Aisya Eleesa (2-0-6-1) played her part with the ball for her side.
Nurin Imanina was awarded the Player of the Match for her blockbuster all-round heroics, chipping in with 12 (20 balls) with the bat, returning with a decisive spell (4-0-12-4) with the ball, and also grabbing four crucial catches in the field for her side.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.