VIRANDEEP Singh smashed 79 runs as host Malaysia trounced Thailand by 160 runs in the 29th SEA Games Kuala Lumpur 2017 50-over cricket competition at the Kinrara Oval on Friday (18 Aug).
The lanky batsman set the tone at a blistering rate alongside Ahmad Faiz (46) that included two sixes and two fours off 88 balls after the host were down to 88-2, losing skipper Anwar Arudin for 42 runs and Nowira Zazmie for 19 runs.
Sent in to bat first by Thailand who won the toss, the Malaysians scored 265 runs for the loss of five wickets upon completion of the full 50 overs.
In reply, the Thais were dismissed for 105 runs in 35 overs with C. Pengkumta scoring 21 runs, N. Mayer 15 and K. Sonamontree contributed 10 runs.
In the only match scheduled on Saturday (Aug 19), Myanmar will go face to face with Indonesia. Cricket makes its debut in the Games with gold medals on offer in the men’s 50 overs and T20, and women T20 competition.
Score: Malaysia 265-5 in 50 overs (Virandeep Singh 79, Ahmad Faiz Noor 46, Anwar Arudin 28, Norwira Zazmie 19, Suhairil Fetri 15 not out; N. Sonamontree 2-69).
Thailand 105 in 35 overs (C. Pengkumta 21, N. Mayer 15, K. Sonamontree 10; Devindran Mogan 3-10, Muhammad Shukri Abdul Rahim 2-25, Muhammad Wafiq Ifran 2-22).
Result: Malaysia beat Thailand by 160 runs.
