Fiji Struggle Against Hosts

Fiji's chance of making the World Cricket League Division 6 final have taken a major hit after an eight-wicket loss to home side Malaysia at the Kinrara Oval today.

The top two teams will qualify for Saturday's decider and with Guernsey and Malaysia now both with three wins under their belts, Fiji's chances of success are much lower.

It was again Fiji's batsmen that struggled under pressure and the team was dismissed for just 129 after 44.4 overs, an achingly slow run rate and quick wickets ruing any opportunity for Fiji to build any type of big total.

Partnerships were again an issue, the best being a 29-run stand between wicket keeper batsman Maciu Gauna and pace bowler Imran Khan.

Colin Rika topped the batting with 27 and Gauna continued his good form with the bat as he contributed an unbeaten 24.

Fiji had a sniff early on when two Malaysian wickets fell to Khan in his opening spell, the home side on the brink of trouble at 2-33.

But Malaysian opener Shafiq Sharif and number four Suhan Alagaratnam both hit half centuries to claim the game for the home side, Sharif smashing two boundaries to finish off the game in style.

Khan's 2-17 off nine overs was Fiji's best effort with the ball, while Lomani was unlucky not to get a breakthrough during his spell of 0-30 off nine overs.
Malaysia eventually passed the total with 14.3 overs to spare.

Fiji manager Jon Symonds said it was a disappointing result but paid credit to the Malaysian team.

"Malaysia bowled very very well in the first 15 overs and put our batsmen under pressure and as a result of that pressure we lost crucial wickets and could not build partnerships to set a challenging target," Symonds said.

"More's the pity because our bowlers bowled exceptionally well."

"Making the final is going to be challenging but we are sure that we will continue to play to win every game."

Fiji's next match will be against Kuwait today.