Malaysian Juniors Tour to Sri Lanka 2005 (Until March 24th 2005)

Malaysia U22 has so far tasted a blend of victory and defeat  in the Tour to the sub continent. After victory in the first match against St Josephs , Malaysian Juniors played the Sri Lankan U16 Development squad. After winning the toss and electing to bat Malaysia piled up 275 for 7 in the alloted 50 overs. The innings was powered by young Suhan Kumar (53), Shahid Ali Khan (56) , skipper Ezrafiq (38) and Razman Zabri (25) who remained undefeated.

Sri Lankan Openers Hiran (25) and Andrew (25) started off with a flyer, Malaysia had a second thought that they were cruising to victory. Captain Eszrafiq managed to put breaks by bringing in Shahid Ali Khan (3/54) and Razman Zabri (2/22) , played a vital role bowling out the Sri Lankan Junior side. There was a Lion hearted fight back from Rajith Edirisooryia (46) to uplift the Sri Lankan side but eventually they were 68 runs short of the target.

Well done Malaysia winning over Sri Lanka U16 by 68 runs

The brief scores:  
1. MALAYSIA UNDER 19 VS SRI LANKA UNDER 16 (DEV. SQUAD)
MALAYSIA U-19 - 275 FOR 7 WICKETS IN 50 OVERS ( SUHAN KUMAR  - 53, ESZRAFIQ ABD AZIZ  - 38, SHAHID ALI KHAN  - 56,FADZLI HASHIM  - 17 NOT OUT, RAZMAN ZABRI  - 25 NOT OUT)
SRI LANKA U-16 - 207 FOR 9 WICKETS IN 50 OVERS ( HIRAN SILVA   - 26, ANDREW BARAGE  - 25, RAJITH EDIRISOORIYA - 46, N. SHANMUGAM  1/27, FADHLY ISHAK  1/36, ESZRAFIQ ABD AZIZ 1/35, SHAHID ALI KHAN  3/54, RAZMAN ZABRI  2/22)

MALAYSIA UNDER 19 WON BY 68 RUNS

2.Malaysia U19 vs Sri Lanka under 16 (3 day Match)
In the 3rd match Played against the Sri Lanka U16 at the Police Grounds, the host came back with a thumping force and dished out an innings defeat to the visitors (Malaysia U19). Malaysia went into the match confidently winning the toss elect to bat, but Sri Lanka had done their home work from their previous match. Malaysia succumb to Dubindra Dabanayake (5/40) and were bundled out for a mere 146 in 52 overs. Though the top order chipped in with usefull runs to the total, they failed to put an anchor and built into a big score. The main contributors with the bat were Suhan Kumar (21), Ahmad Faiz Noor (24) and Skipper Eszrafiq (25).
In reply Sri Lanka U16 make merry over Malaysian bowlers and piled a huge 350 all out in 49 overs. Opener Ruwantha made a wirl wind 81, Rosen  Silva a quick fire (63) and ably supported and steadied by Mazai (43).  Only Eszrafiq (3/87), Shivan Ananthasivam (2/25) and Manrick Singh (2/27) made some impact to the hurricane Sri Lankan Innings. Manrick Singh wicketless in the last two matches chipped in with 2 scalps and bowled pretty impressively. Any way the Huge Sri Lankan total was good enough for an Innings victory as Malaysia were bowled out for 204 in the Second Innings. Ahmad Faiz(34), Darvin Muralitharan (50) and consistant performer skipper Eszrafiq (39) contributed the Malaysian total of 204.
Malaysia U19 1st Innings -146 all out in 56 overs (Suhan Kumar -21, Ahmad Faiz - 24, Eszrafiq - 25,   Dubindra Dabanayake - 5/40)
Sri Lanka U16 1st Innings 350 all out in 29 overs (Ruwantha - 81, Rosen Silva - 63, Mazai -43, Eszrafiq - 3/87, Manrick Singh - 2/27, Shivan - 2/25)
Malaysia U-19  2nd Innings - 204 All out ( Ahmad Faiz Md Noor - 34, Darvin Muralitharan - 50, Eszrafiq Abd Aziz - 39, Razman Zabri  - 15)
Result : Sri Lanka U-16 won by an inning's

3. MALAYSIA U-21 VS PRINCE OF WALES COLLEGE

Prince of Wales College won the toss and elected against the visitors and amazed 267 for 5 in 50 overs. The main contributors were openers, Perera (59), Silva (30), Top Order batsman Hewage (33) and Madhushanka - 61 not out. Eszraffiq again contributed with his tricky offspin bowling and took 2 wickets for 37 runs.

Malaysian chase was spearheaded with flambouyant Eszrafiq (42) and a Solid Innings by Ahmad Faiz Noor (47) after the early loss of operners Suhan Kumar and Miran Salip. Once Eszrafiq and Faiz perished Malaysia tumbled and were all out for 182.
PRINCE OF WALES COLLEGE - 267 FOR 5 IN 50 OVERS ( S. PERERA  - 59, S. SILVA  - 30, P. HEWAGE  - 33, D. MADHUSHANKA - 61 NOT OUT, Eszrafiq 2/37, Darvin 1/46)
MALAYSIA U-21 - 182 ALL OUT IN 49 OVERS ( ESZRAFIQ ABD AZIZ - 42, AHMAD FAIZ MD NOOR - 47, RAZMAN ZABRI  - 19)
PRINCE OF WALES COLLEGE WON BY 85 RUNS

4  MALAYSIA U19 vs SRI LANKA U16

The match played at P. Sara Oval on 24th March, Thursday 2005 Malaysian Juniors fought back with a victory against the Sri Lankan U16.
Winning the toss Eszrafiq (Malaysian Skipper) and chosing to bat found justifiable as the Malaysian top order did a very good job to put up a matching winning total of 203 in 49.1 overs. Openers Suhan Kumar (30) and Ahmad Faiz Noor (20) put 50 runs partnership for the first wicket and laid a solid foundation. Though they losed the openers wickets in quick sessions, Skipper Esrafiq (44) and Darwin (44) piloted from the openers. Angelo Perera (5 wickets for 19 runs) spoiled their party by sending back the inform batsman to the pavillion with immediate effect. Later he put a break to the galloping Malaysian batting and ran through the middle order. Apart from the top order only Manrick Singh (24) managed to reach double figures, eventually Malaysia were restricted and packed for 203 all out in 49.1 overs.

Opener, Nadeesha Jayakodi (43) raised hopes for the Sri Lankan run chase but with team effort and disciplined bowling the tourist restricted the home side for 182 for 9 in the quota of 50 overs. Yasith Abey Koon (45 not out) couldnt pull a miracle as he run short off able partners. Malaysian bowlers had mixed fortunes Sharing wickets with Shanmugam (2/37) , Manrick Singh (2/35), Esrafiq, Fadhly, Sathiaseelan and Darvin took one wicket apiece.

Brief scores:
Malaysia U19 203 for 10 in 49.1 overs (Suhan Kumar - 30, Faiz Noor - 20, Esrafiq - 44, Darwin - 44, Angelo Perera - 5/19)
Sri Lanka U16 182 for  9 in 50 overs (Nadeesha Jayakodi - 43, Yasith Abey Koon - 45 not out, Shanmugam - 2/37, Manrick Singh - 2/35)

Malaysia Under 19 won the match by 21 Runs