Asian Games: Men target semi-finals berth

MALAYSIA have already achieved their target of reaching the quarter-finals of the men's T20 (20 overs) cricket, which is making its debut in the Asian Games, but the challenge will be to make it to the semi-finals at the Guanggong International Cricket Stadium. Malaysia are in Group A with China and both advance to the last eight while the top two from Group B consisting Hong Kong, Maldives and Nepal will join them.

The format of the tournament has seen test-playing nations Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh getting automatic spots in the last eight with Afghanistan joining them.

Should Malaysia beat China on Nov 21, they will play Bangladesh in the last eight, but a defeat will effectively end Malaysia's chances of securing a semi-final spot as they must play former World T20 champions Pakistan in the last eight.
Malaysia are presently on a high after winning the Air Niugini Super Series quadrangular in Port Moresby in September.

Malaysia Cricket Association (MCA) secretary C. Sivanandan said the fact that Malaysia had beaten Hong Kong, Singapore and Papua New Guinea gives hope for a good showing in Guangzhou.

"Hong Kong and PNG are in Division Three while Singapore are in Division Five (of the ICC league) but we managed to beat them to win the event. Our quarter-finals target has been achieved but the boys can battle to move one step further," said Sivanandan.

"The objective is to beat China (in the group match) and face Bangladesh. They are a test side but things have happened in T20 and we want to battle for a place in the semis.

"We are not expecting medals but a place in the last four will be a massive achievement. "The form of captain Suhan (Kumar Alagaratnam) and Shukri (Abdul Rahim) will be crucial while all-rounder Suresh (Navaratnam) will provide stability to the team."

Besides the trio, players like Eszrafiq Abdul Aziz, Rakesh Madhavan and Mandrick Singh have been around for more than a decade and their experience will be important if Malaysia are to achieve the difficult task of overcoming Bangladesh who will not be parading their test players.

"It is hard to predict how our women, mostly Under-19 players, will fare but it will be very good exposure for them," Sivanandan added.

The women's squad, although unknown entities, may have an easier task as they must at least finish second in Group A consisting Pakistan, Thailand and China to reach the semis.

Group B comprises Bangladesh, Nepal, Hong Kong and Japan


Read more: Asian Games: NST