THA vs. MAL Live Score: Thailand is all set to take on Malaysia in their last group-stage fixture of the Asian Games 2023 Men’s T20I. They have a huge mountain to climb as they will look ahead to bounce back from their previous loss & register a glorious win. Malaysia has a strong bowling attack & is marching into this clash on the back of a huge win in their last fixture. They will pose a big challenge to reeling Thailand who are not able to hit the mark so far in the tournament.
Thailand has so far played a total of 21 T20Is since 2019. And their average run rate has been 5.04 which shows the state of Thailand’s batting department. Just marching into this tournament Thailand has suffered a major defeat at the hands of Malaysia. Talking about that fixture Malaysia bowled them out for 93 runs in that game. These two teams have locked horns in 7 games before in which Malaysia has won each of these matches maintaining a 7-0 lead over Thailand. With a superior team & a settled lineup, Malaysia will look ahead to extend this winning run against Thailand & qualify for the Quarterfinals.
THA vs. MAL: Teams Preview
Thailand Preview
Thailand is set to face one of their most formidable opponents on their international cricket journey. Not only have they struggled against Malaysia in the past, losing all seven previous encounters, but their batting performance has also been lackluster.
Before their recent meeting in the World Cup Asia B Qualifier, these two teams crossed paths in the SEA Games T20, where Thailand managed to score just 113 for 8 when batting first. The 2023 encounters between these rivals have been equally challenging, with Thailand being bowled out for a mere 73 and 30 runs in separate fixtures. In their most recent Asian Games Men’s T20I, Thailand could only muster 53 runs.
Thailand faces this contest without Akshaykumar Yadav and a new captain, Nopphon Senamontree. Senamontree, a 32-year-old all-rounder, has been effective with the ball, picking up 13 wickets in 11 matches. However, he has struggled with the bat, accumulating just 47 runs from 8 innings with a strike rate of 58.75.
The team will heavily rely on opening batsman Satarut Rungrueang, who emerged as their top-scorer against Malaysia in the SEA Games, amassing 46 runs from 32 balls. The partnership between wicket-keeper batsman Phiriyapong Suanchuai and Chaloemwong Chatphaisan in the middle order will also be crucial.
In the bowling department, Chanchai Pengkumta and skipper Nopphon Senamontree are expected to lead the wicket-taking charts. However, should Thailand bat first, their bowlers may face challenges in building pressure on the opposition.
Hong Kong Predicted Playing XI:
Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan (c), Akbar Khan, Anas Khan, Ehsan Khan, Muhammad Khan (wk), Shiv Mathur, Mohammad Ghazanfar, Niaz Ali, Nasrulla Rana, Ayush Shukla
Malaysia Preview
Malaysia, on the other hand, enters this match with confidence following a resounding victory over Singapore in their opening fixture. They have been historically dominant against Thailand and will look to extend their winning streak.
Pavandeep Singh and Virandeep Singh have consistently troubled Thailand with their performances. Both players are in exceptional form and are key bowlers to watch out for. Malaysia did experience a brief middle-order collapse in their previous match, but all-rounder Virandeep Singh’s unbeaten 44 off 34 balls at number 5 steered them to victory.
Skipper Ahmad Faiz, however, should be concerned about the middle-order batting. While Malaysia has had success against Thailand in the past, they have never batted first against them. Facing Thailand’s promising bowlers, including Syed Aziz, Mohammad Amir, and Ahmed Faiz in the top 4, will be crucial to Malaysia’s success.
Syed Aziz, in particular, showcased excellent form in the last match, with three sixes and three fours in his innings.
Japan Predicted Playing XI:
Lachlan Lake, Alexander Patmore (wk), Kendel Fleming (c), Ibrahim Takahashi, Wataru Miyauchi, Reo Sakurano Thomas, Declan Suzuki, Tsuyoshi Takada, Makoto Taniyama, Kohei Kubota, Ryan Drake
THA vs MAL: Pitch, Weather, and Venue Report
The playing conditions at the Pingfeng Campus Cricket Field in Hangzhou, China, provide a balanced wicket that challenges both bowlers and batsmen. Batsmen who can time the ball well will be rewarded, and scores exceeding 160 are possible with disciplined batting.
The weather forecast for the match day predicts partly cloudy conditions with a high of 24 degrees Celsius, setting the stage for a competitive encounter.
The venue’s smaller dimensions make it easier for batters to clear the ropes. Spinners are expected to play a pivotal role as both captains aim to control the run flow.
Toss: To Bowl first
In this fixture, both captains are likely to prefer bowling first, given their teams’ historical performances. Malaysia has opted to bowl first in all seven of their victories against Thailand. Thailand, conversely, has struggled when batting first. Thus, winning the toss and choosing to bowl first may be the favored strategy for both teams.
Match Prediction:
When it comes to Thailand & Malaysia, in terms of team composition & form, Thailand looks more settled & competent than Malaysia. Considering all the aspects & stats we predict Thailand to win this fixture
Prediction: Thailand to win
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