Cricket enthusiasts in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are gearing up for an exciting cricketing spectacle as the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) prepares to kick off the MCA 50 Overs Championship 2023 on November 18. The championship promises thrilling contests, intense rivalries, and a showcase of cricketing talent, with four formidable teams vying for supremacy.
Participating Teams
The MCA 50 Overs Championship 2023 will feature four competitive teams, each ready to battle it out for the championship title:
- Central Smashers
- Northern Strikers
- Southern Hitters
- Western Warriors
These teams will engage in a total of 26 matches, creating an action-packed tournament that is set to captivate cricket fans.
Format and Schedule
According to the championship schedule, each team will face the other sides four times during the league phase. With a total of 12 league matches per team, the tournament guarantees an extensive display of cricketing prowess. The league phase will culminate with the third and fourth-placed teams facing off in the third-place playoff on December 16.
The pinnacle of the championship will be reached on December 17 when the top two teams in the standings will compete for the coveted title.
MCA 50 Overs Championship 2023 teams and squads
Central Smashers: Ahmad Faiz (captain), Hasnain Ahmed, Kishan Kumar Ananthan, Muhamad Syahadat, Muhamad Arsalan, Adeshlie Alias, Aidan Michael, Ajeb Khan, Khizar Hayat, Muhammad Ashraf Azmi, Muhammad Asyraf Azmi, Muhammad Gulraiz, Muhammad Irfan Ashri, Norman Haiqal Norhasri, Ammar Uzair Fakri (wicket-keeper), Wan Muhammad (wicket-keeper), Abdul Rashid, Anwar Rahman, Haiqal Khair, Muhammad Luqman, Muhammad Wafiq
Northern Strikers: Vijay Unni (captain), Arief Yusof, Kenny Yang Cheng, Nazmus Sakib, Sanjhey Subanantha, Wan Syahmi Danial, Ahmad Akmal, Arif Ullah, Haziq Haiqal Idris, Naveed Ahmad, Sharvin Munandy, Virandeep Singh, Faris Iskandar (wicket-keeper), Hairil Harisan (wicket-keeper), Areean Zaharin, Kenneth Yang Sheng, Shivnarin Rajaratnam
Southern Hitters: Syed Aziz (captain/wicket-keeper), Abdul Rehman, Ahmad Arif Salman, Aslam Khan, Amir Khan, Aqeel Wahid, Ariff Jamaludeen, Bilal Ahmed, Mohamad Fathul Fatri, Muhammad Aalif, Muhammad Rifqi Iman Khamis, Sachinu Hettige, Ammar Zuhdi Hazalan (wicket-keeper), Ibrahim Zahid (wicket-keeper), Syed Aziz, Syed Rehmatullah (wicket-keeper), Devin Sehar, Dhivendran Mogan, Fitri Sham, Raham Khan Malik, Rizwan Haider
Western Warriors: Muhammad Amir Azim (captain), Aqib Javed, Hassan Masood, Imad Khan, Muhammad Asyqal Zakari, Zubaidi Zulkifle, Arslan Shabir, Firdaus Asri, Jinendra Muraly, Lokman Nur Hakim, Muhammad Akram Malek, Muhammad Muqri Jafri, Ainool Hafizs, Ahmad Asby, Mohammad Afiq, Muhammad Khairullah, Syazrul Ezat, Zulamry Bin Mohdin
Venues
The MCA 50 Overs Championship 2023 matches will unfold at two distinguished venues:
- Selangor Turf Club, Kuala Lumpur
- YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, Bangi
These venues are set to witness the clash of cricketing titans and serve as the battleground for teams striving for glory.
Previous Encounters
In February, cricket enthusiasts got a taste of the teams’ skills when Southern Hitters and Northern Strikers participated in the Malaysian Cricket Association T20 Super Series. While the Hitters bowed out in the Eliminator, the Strikers reached the final but faced a heartbreak, losing to Thunderstorm Outlanders by two wickets.
Live Streaming Details
For fans in India eager to catch the live action of the MCA 50 Overs Championship 2023, the FanCode app and website will provide live streaming services. However, it’s important to note that there will be no live telecast of the championship on any TV channel in India.
MCA 50 Overs Championship 2023 schedule and live match start times
All match timings are in India Standard Time (IST)
| Date | Match | Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Nov 18 | Southern Hitters vs Western Warriors | 7:00 AM |
| Saturday, Nov 18 | Northern Strikers vs Central Smashers | 7:00 AM |
| Sunday, Nov 19 | Western Warriors vs Northern Strikers | 7:00 AM |
| Sunday, Nov 19 | Central Smashers vs Southern Hitters | 7:00 AM |
| Tuesday, Nov 21 | Central Smashers vs Western Warriors | 7:00 AM |
| Thursday, Nov 23 | Southern Hitters vs Northern Strikers | 7:00 AM |
| Saturday, Nov 25 | Western Warriors vs Northern Strikers | 7:00 AM |
| Saturday, Nov 25 | Central Smashers vs Southern Hitters | 7:00 AM |
| Sunday, Nov 26 | Southern Hitters vs Western Warriors | 7:00 AM |
| Sunday, Nov 26 | Northern Strikers vs Central Smashers | 7:00 AM |
| Tuesday, Nov 28 | Western Warriors vs Central Smashers | 7:00 AM |
| Thursday, Nov 30 | Northern Strikers vs Southern Hitters | 7:00 AM |
| Saturday, Dec 2 | Southern Hitters vs Western Warriors | 7:00 AM |
| Saturday, Dec 2 | Northern Strikers vs Central Smashers | 7:00 AM |
| Sunday, Dec 3 | Western Warriors vs Northern Strikers | 7:00 AM |
| Sunday, Dec 3 | Central Smashers vs Southern Hitters | 7:00 AM |
| Tuesday, Dec 5 | Central Smashers vs Western Warriors | 7:00 AM |
| Thursday, Dec 7 | Southern Hitters vs Northern Strikers | 7:00 AM |
| Saturday, Dec 9 | Western Warriors vs Northern Strikers | 7:00 AM |
| Saturday, Dec 9 | Central Smashers vs Southern Hitters | 7:00 AM |
| Sunday, Dec 10 | Southern Hitters vs Western Warriors | 7:00 AM |
| Sunday, Dec 10 | Northern Strikers vs Central Smashers | 7:00 AM |
| Tuesday, Dec 12 | Western Warriors vs Central Smashers | 7:00 AM |
| Thursday, Dec 14 | Northern Strikers vs Southern Hitters | 7:00 AM |
| Saturday, Dec 16 | Third-place playoff | 7:00 AM |
| Sunday, Dec 17 | MCA 50 Overs Championship 2023 final | 7:00 AM |
As the countdown begins for the MCA 50 Overs Championship 2023, cricket aficionados are anticipating a thrilling tournament that will leave an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape in Malaysia. The clash of bat and ball, the roar of the crowd, and the quest for victory will converge in Kuala Lumpur, creating a cricketing spectacle that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.