Eight women's cricketers face SPM, World Cup 'test' next week
Drawn into the ‘group of death’, Malaysia will begin their Group A campaign against Sri Lanka on Sunday (Jan 19), followed by matches against defending champions India on Jan 21 and West Indies on Jan 23.
KUALA LUMPUR - Eight young national cricketers are set to face two crucial ‘tests’ in the coming week, one in academics and the other in sports.
The 17-year-old players will be sitting for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations while competing against some of the best teams in the world at the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup at the Bayuemas Oval in Klang, having received special approval from the Ministry of Education.
Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) president Mohammed Iqbal Ali Kassim Ali said two out of the three group stage matches for the national team would clash with the SPM schedule, requiring the players to sit for their exams at the venue on Tuesday (Jan 21) and Thursday (Jan 23).
Drawn into the ‘group of death’, Malaysia will begin their Group A campaign against Sri Lanka on Sunday (Jan 19), followed by matches against defending champions India on Jan 21 and West Indies on Jan 23. All matches will take place at the Bayuemas Oval.
"While others will be at home preparing for their exams, these girls are training, playing practice matches and later in the evening, attending home tuition. KPM (the Education Ministry) has been wonderful, sending teachers to their hostels to provide night classes besides sending invigilators to the venue for SPM.
"For one match, they will play first and then sit for their exam, while for another, they will sit for their exam before playing. I salute them for their sacrifice for the country during these crucial moments,” he said in a session with reporters yesterday.
Mohammed Iqbal Ali, a former national player, expressed his gratitude to the ministries of education, and youth and sports for their assistance in managing the dual responsibilities of the players.
The 2024 SPM written tests are being held from Jan 6 to Feb 2, while the World Cup is scheduled from Jan 18 to Feb 2 at four venues - Bayuemas Oval; YSD-UKM Cricket Oval in Bangi, Selangor; Johor Cricket Academy Oval in Johor Bahru, Johor; and Borneo Cricket Ground in Kuching, Sarawak.
When asked about the team’s target, Mohammed Iqbal Ali said competing against three cricket powerhouses will be a daunting task, but he encouraged the players to fight until the last ball.
"Compared to them, we are a very new team, but I always remind the girls to enjoy this moment because they are playing in the World Cup against the future superstars of cricket. The ball is round, and anything is possible, so don’t stop fighting,” he said.
He praised the team’s performance for taking five wickets against Australia in a warm-up match yesterday, despite losing the game by 140 runs.
Mohammed Iqbal Ali also hoped for good weather throughout the tournament. - BERNAMA
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