Since my last report, Malaysia played in the Tuanku Ja'afar tournament in Singapore from 18-21 May. Four nations took part - Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, with Hong Kong the defending champion. Malaysia wrested the Cup from Hong Kong in the final in a game that saw the Hong Kong team unable to withstand the heat of the tournament. They were dismissed for a paltry 113 runs after Malaysia made a total of 243.

In the Asian Cricket Council Trophy under 17 tournament organised in Karachi by the International Cricket Council from July 15 to 25, the Malaysian boys were unlucky not to get into the semi-finals. They beat Singapore in the opening tie, lost the next two games to Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia, and in the decider, tied with the United Arab Emirates, allowing the Saudis to progress to the next stage. Sri Lanka won the tournament, defeating Pakistan in the final.

On the local scene, the Division One league and 50 over are already halfway through. Malaysian Malays, with their two Sri Lankan professionals, and their new local pro, Suresh Navaratnam, the Malaysian captain who has been playing in Selangor all these years, are leading in both competitions. Selangor, TNB and Perak, are lying in that order. Kuala Lumpur have an outside chance of getting into the top four in both competitions, as they are one game behind the rest in both.

The two Sri Lankans playing for the Malays are again dominating the local scene with bat and ball. Kapila de Silva, playing his first stint in Malaysia, has knocked the first ton of the season, against Kuala Lumpur in their two innings game played at College Tuanku Ja'afar. Sarath Jayawardane, in his fourth season here, has also contributed invaluably both as batsman and bowler.

Among the local players, K.Ramadass (Johor), Shanker Retinam (Perak), Rohan Selvaratnam (KL), Suresh Navaratnam (Malays) and S.Haren (KL) are some of the leading scorers in the two tournaments.

Malaysia will be playing Singapore in their annual three day "Test", the Saudara Cup, in Singapore from September 1-3 and will be looking forward to retaining the Cup.

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