Malaysia’s moment: World Cup and Sarawak success the platform for another cricket push

There’s something serendipitous in Malaysia hosting the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2025.

Enjoying a player participation boom, an exponential growth in the women’s game, and the spread of cricket to pastures new in the country, it’s very much a case of right place, right time for an emerging force.

A busy travel hub of diverse culture where east meets west, and importantly world-class facilities, Malaysia and their governing body the Malaysian Cricket Association are recognised as well-driven and ready to combat the rigours of a 16-team global tournament.

And with a team competing in their own national colours against future household names, Malaysia is poised to turn another cricketing corner.

Few Associate Members get a chance to host a World Cup completely within their own borders, though Malaysia ticks every box for teams and organisers. Runs on the board come via hosting a number of pathway events, and as the host the 2008 U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, where a young Virat Kohli ended as the tournament’s winning captain.

Seventeen years on, the country’s stance has only strengthened. Not only does the 2025 class of future stars in the women’s game across the world have the opportunity to make their first headlines in the country, there is a feeling that the 2025 tournament could leave a lasting legacy for Malaysia’s growth.

For one, this year’s tournament has taken elite cricket further across the country, with matches held on the other side of the Riau Archipelago, in the state of Sarawak, situated on the island of Borneo.

Despite a false start of an abandoned Samoa v Nigeria fixture, New Zealand took on South Africa at the new Borneo Cricket Ground, where the Proteas walked away as 22-run winners.

The Right Honourable, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (DR) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg, Premier of Sarawak, cuts the ribbon ahead of the first ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup match at the Borneo Cricket Ground /// Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

The ground is a glowing example of what can be achieved in quick time in a country with many helping hands. After the development of the playing surface was completed in 15 months, it was the construction of buildings surrounding the ground that highlights the cooperation between cricket and government bodies.

“The pavilion behind me took three months and 10 days to build,” Mahinda Vallipuram, ICC Associate Member Director and former Malaysia Cricket Association President says, while sitting in front of the stands of the ground.

“I think it just shows that you want to do something, together, you can achieve many things, and I think, so kudos to the Sarawak State Government.

“The Malaysian government is also very proactive in sports. We have worked with not just the National Sports Council, we have worked with the Ministry of Education, which has been a good partner.

“You need the various agencies to move the game.”

New Zealand taking part of the first day of action in Borneo too was fitting, with the ground design inspired by the Bay Oval in Tauranga.

“I think they had a lot of photos and downloaded drawings or whatever they could get their hands on and given to the consultants. It is very much (like) the Bay Oval,” Vallipuram continues.

“It's really great to see state bodies like Sarawak take the initiative to mirror themselves to different parts of the world. We hope the other states will come up and say, you know what, great success. We need to be part of it.”

New Zealand stand for their national anthem at the Borneo Cricket Ground /// Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

After playing out their match, New Zealand’s Ayaan Lambat almost felt a level of “home” comfort.

“Being the first game here (to be played) at Borneo was a privilege and I’m so happy that my team got to experience that," she said.

“It gives us Kiwis a sense of home, so that’s awesome.”

In spite of horrific weather over the 11 days of matches at the Borneo Cricket Ground, seven of the 10 fixtures finished with a result, as tireless toil from ground staff again emphasised the many hands make light work mantra.

As for the conditions, Lambat and South Africa captain Kayla Reyneke gave the ground the stamp of approval.

“It was quite spectacular playing on this field, a beautiful ground,” Reyneke reflected after their victory.

“A nice field also, (with) beautiful green, we couldn’t have asked for better.”

“It was a great pitch to bowl on. It was really just straight up and down, good bounce, good pace,” Lambat continued.

“(We’re) very privileged to play on this wicket.”

Borneo and its new ground is just one example of the World Cup being a boon for Malaysia and its growth in the game, and Vallipuram understands that its time to strike when the iron is hot in order to bring in new fans and players.

“The number one (priority) is awareness,” Vallipuram points out while looking at the positives of a global tournament on Malaysian soil.

“Do you use the awareness to grow the game? Naturally, be it agencies, be it teachers, the kids that see it today, watching the future stars. I think that's key.

“And I think for Malaysia as a whole to see the Malaysian team play, they are an ambassador to the sport, to the country.

“And I hope that they will take the mantle from the senior players today in some years to come, but more importantly, we want women's cricket to grow in the country, and you need heroines, you need role models.

“I'm confident in the medium to long term. That's something that can be achieved.”

The hosts had their share of inspiring moments on the field, even if a victory proved out of reach for Nur Dania Syuhada’s side.

Marsya Qistina Abdullah can lay claim to the country’s first wicket in their tournament history, and also boasts the team’s best bowling figures, claiming 3/18 from four overs in their placement match against Nepal.

From eyeballs in front of a screen, to running around and making memories of their own, Malaysia’s future stars’ path is laid out by Vallipuram.

“The objective is to get kids playing cricket for six to eight months if possible in the calendar year. Just again, awareness, promotion, talent identification, you know, to do all of that now.

“We also felt that we need to market its brand. You've got to market the game. You have to show something to the parents perhaps. It doesn't matter as boys or girls.”

“Let's say kids play cricket at 10 or 12, 14, it doesn't matter what age, they need to see what they can get out of it.

“Now everyone wants to play for the flag, (but) they want to grow somewhere. We also need to show education and career paths, because those things are important in developing cricket, not just Malaysia, I think around the world and the Associate world.

“That's an important journey for these teenagers who eventually may play cricket for the country, or may not play for the country, but to get the parents support at the start, I think this is important."

Already ranked 25th and 27th in men’s and women’s T20I cricket respectively, and with an uptick in schools playing cricket, there’s nothing stopping the country climbing higher, even if bigger hurdles stand in the distance.

“2000 plus schools today are playing some form of cricket through the early learning program,” Vallipuram declares, a sharp rise from under 300 just 12 years ago.

“To get to 5000, get to 10,000, you know, to get 50% to 75% of the schools playing, that could be five to 10 years.

“Right now, we start cricket in schools, and that partnership is working. You then get the numbers to do it, and you have development coaches at the bottom level.

“Then you talk about having a high performance coach within the state and then you have national coaches and your regional programs.

“Every step that you get better though, there's also challenges that come with it.

“And on that day that we say there's no challenges, then we are out of ideas to improve."

As for action on the field for now, four teams remain in the hunt for the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup trophy, with India taking on England and South Africa meeting Australia.

And just like 17 years ago when young Kohli held the Men’s U19 trophy in front of the Petronas Twin Towers, and had the cricket world at his feet, there’s every chance that Niki Prasad, Abi Norgrove, Lucy Hamilton and Kayla Reyneke could follow in similar footsteps after their moment in front of the iconic backdrop.