Malaysia vs Thailand: 3rd Match of the Malaysia Quadrangular T20I Series 2025 – Malaysia Secures a Comfortable 7-Wicket Victory

On April 25, 2025, the third match of the highly anticipated Malaysia Quadrangular T20I Series 2025 took place at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur. The two teams involved were Thailand and Malaysia, with both sides eager to build momentum in the early stages of this T20I series. Thailand, coming into the match with a strong squad, found themselves facing a stiff challenge against the host nation, Malaysia, who had already put in a solid performance in their previous match.

In a match that was marked by tight bowling, disciplined fielding, and aggressive batting, Malaysia came out on top with a 7-wicket victory, further strengthening their position in the series.

Thailand’s Struggle with the Bat: A Subpar Total

Thailand won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to set a competitive total on the board. However, their innings was far from smooth sailing, as they struggled against the disciplined and sharp Malaysian bowling attack.

• The Openers’ Struggles: Thailand’s openers failed to get going, and wickets fell early on. Both Tepan Yadav and Chaiwat Rattanachote were dismissed cheaply, leaving the Thai side in a precarious position. At 25/2 in the 6th over, Thailand was already on the back foot.

• Anurag Yadav’s Lone Fight: The only notable partnership in the Thai innings came from the bat of Anurag Yadav, who played a defiant knock under pressure. Yadav remained unbeaten throughout the innings, scoring a crucial 50 not out off 46 balls. His composed innings helped Thailand reach a total of 92/6 by the end of their 20 overs.

  While Yadav held the fort at one end, he lacked support from the other end, as regular wickets fell, with Nattawut Rungrawan (7) and Suriya Prasad (5) both getting dismissed without making a significant impact.

• Malaysia’s Tight Bowling: Malaysia’s bowlers executed their plans efficiently, ensuring that Thailand’s batters never settled into any rhythm. Sulaiman Shah, Fadilah Khairudin, and Azimullah Rahim all bowled well in the middle overs, taking wickets at crucial intervals. Shah, in particular, was impressive with his ability to restrict the run flow.

Thailand’s score of 92/6 was considered underwhelming, and they knew they needed something special from their bowlers to challenge Malaysia in the chase.

Malaysia’s Chasing Masterclass: Easy 7-Wicket Victory

In response, Malaysia started their chase confidently, with their top-order delivering on expectations. The Malaysian openers, Syed Aziz and Ahmad Faiz, were aggressive right from the outset, demonstrating their intent to chase the target quickly.

• Syed Aziz’s Quick Start: Syed Aziz was in aggressive form, capitalizing on any loose deliveries and playing a quickfire knock. He played some eye-catching shots to give Malaysia the necessary momentum early on. Aziz looked particularly good against the spinners, cutting and driving them with precision.

• Steady Contributions from Aqeel and Faiz: Ahmed Aqeel played a solid knock, scoring 18 runs off 16 balls. His partnership with Syed Aziz helped Malaysia build a good foundation for the chase. Even though Aziz was dismissed for 24 runs off 21 balls, Malaysia’s run rate remained steady, keeping the required run rate well within reach.

  Captain Ahmad Faiz, though not at his explosive best, played a composed role in guiding his side towards the target. Faiz remained not out on 7 runs at the end of the match, ensuring that Malaysia reached the target with ease, achieving a total of 93/3 in just 11.3 overs.

• Chasing the Target: Malaysia’s chase was not just about hitting boundaries, but about maintaining control and discipline throughout the innings. The hosts required only 92 runs to win, and they managed to complete the chase without much trouble. With the target being a modest one, Malaysia ensured they finished with a win in no time, reaching the target with 51 balls remaining.

Player of the Match: Anurag Yadav (Thailand)

While Malaysia’s team performance was exceptional, the Player of the Match award went to Anurag Yadav of Thailand, who displayed resilience in what was a losing cause. Yadav’s half-century was the highlight of the Thai innings, and he showed the ability to hold his ground despite the early wickets falling around him. His effort to steer Thailand to a score of 92 was commendable, although it wasn’t enough to give Thailand a fighting chance in the match.

Key Takeaways from the Match:

1. Malaysia’s Dominance with the Ball: Malaysia’s bowling attack was clinical in restricting Thailand to a small total. Their bowlers kept a tight line and length, ensuring that Thailand had no easy scoring opportunities.

2. Thailand’s Lack of Support for Yadav: While Anurag Yadav’s 50 not out was commendable, he lacked support from the rest of the batting lineup. Thailand’s inability to build partnerships cost them dearly.

3. Malaysia’s Efficient Chase: Malaysia made light work of the modest total, with their top-order players ensuring that the required runs were scored quickly. Their chase was efficient, and they sealed the game with ease.

Series Standing and Future Outlook:

With this victory, Malaysia now sits at the top of the points table in the Malaysia Quadrangular T20I Series 2025, having won both of their matches. On the other hand, Thailand will have to regroup and find ways to bounce back from this defeat. They will be looking for better performances in the upcoming matches if they hope to challenge for the title.

• Malaysia: 2 matches, 2 wins

• Thailand: 2 matches, 0 wins

The series will continue to offer exciting contests, and with teams like Singapore and Nepal also in contention, every match will be crucial moving forward.

This 7-wicket win puts Malaysia in a strong position as the series progresses, and their confidence will undoubtedly grow. On the other hand, Thailand will need to reassess their strategies and hope for a better performance in their next outing.

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