With a relatively young team, including eight 17-year-olds, Malaysia’s foray at the upcoming International Cricket Council’s Under-19 Women’s World Cup is all about preparation for the 2028 and 2032 Olympics.

Cricket will return to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. It will also be at the 2032 Brisbane Games. It made its only appearance in the 1900 Olympics.

Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) president Mohammed Iqbal Ali Kassim Ali stated that the team is being groomed for the long term.

As for the team’s Olympic aspirations, he mentioned that everything is up in the air as no one knows the pathway to Los Angeles.

“We are unsure how many teams will qualify, and how a team gets selected,” he said.

“Will it be based on world rankings – which means it is pretty much a closed shop – or will there be a qualifying tournament? That would be more exciting and give smaller nations a chance to qualify.”

“Whatever it is, this women’s Under-19 team will form the backbone of our senior team in three to five years. So, what is important now is for them to gain the valuable experience of playing in a World Cup.”

The Under-19 World Cup will be held at four venues – Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Klang, Selangor (Group A), Johor Cricket Academy Oval, officially known as the Datuk Dr Harjit Singh Johor Cricket Academy and Oval in Johor Bahru (Group B), Sarawak Sports Complex in Kuching (Group C), and the UKM Oval, within the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia campus in Bangi, Selangor (Group D) – from Jan 18 to Feb 2.

Realistically speaking, Malaysia will find it nearly impossible to qualify for the Super 6, as it is in the ‘Group of Death’ – Group A – with defending champion and top seed India, eighth seed West Indies, and ninth seed Sri Lanka.

Mohammed Iqbal Ali expressed confidence that national coach Job Van Bunge could revitalise the country’s cricket fortunes.

The Dutchman hails from a country not known for cricket but earned coaching badges in Australia.

Meanwhile, England heads Group B and has Pakistan, Ireland, and the United States for company. New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, and Samoa are in Group C, while Group D consists of Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Scotland.

The Malaysian team, consisting of eight players – Nur Izzatul Syafiqa Fajrol’As, Irdina Beh Nabil, Nuriman Hidayah Halid, Nur Isma Dania Mohd Daniel, Nur Ain Roslan, Nuranis Syahira Abdullah, Khairul Elismalia Imalin Arshad and Nur Nabilah Mohd Zaid – are in the middle of their SPM examinations.

“The Education Ministry will have officers at the Bayuemas venue, as some girls will sit for their exams after playing in our games,” said Mohammed Iqbal Ali.

“It won’t be easy for them, but I admire their guts and determination to play in the World Cup during the most important period of their school life.”

The SPM examination is Malaysia’s equivalent to the O Levels and is a prerequisite for students who hope to enter college or university.

Group A: India, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Malaysia
Group B: England, Pakistan, Ireland, United States
Group C: New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, Samoa
Group D: Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Scotland