Malaysia seemingly bowled a deliberate wide against Vanuatu in an ICC Cricket World Challenge Play-off 2024 match. While the scores of both the teams were levelled, Mayalsia bowler Vijay Unni used the ploy to exploit the Net Run Rate (NRR) loophole as the other team would have otherwise had a chance to get through with a better net run rate.
Notably, Malaysia, Vanuatu, Bahrain and Tanzania were all clubbed in Group B of the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenger Play-off 20234 match. However, wins over Vanuatu and Malaysia put Bahrain on four points. Tanzania, on the other hand, had beaten Vanuatu before succumbing to a defeat against Malayisia. That meant in order for Vanuatu to remain in contention, Vanuatu needed to beat Malaysia by such a high margin that their net run rate (NRR) puts them above Malaysia.
During the match, Malayisa were bowled out for 124 with Joshua Rasu emerging as the pick of the bowlers finishing with figures of 4/31. Ahmad Aqeel scored 44 for Malaysia. In response, Vanuatu lost wickets at regular intervals. While they were 57/1, they were reduced to 113/7. Junior Kaltapau and Williamsing Nalisa them ensured that the scores were at parity with 3 wickets in hand and 21 overs remaining.
It was here that Mayalsia's net run rate was -0.734 while Vanuatu remained on -0.798. While a batter smashing a six would have taken Vanuatu's net run rate ahead of Malaysia's, bowler Unni bowled a wide outside off to deny Malaysia the chance of going past on the net run rate as it meant Malaysia's net run rate fell marginally ahead of Vanuatu’s -0.791.
Ploy Of Seemingly Bowling A Deliberate Wide Backfires For Malaysia
However, Malaysia’s qualification was not guaranteed by that tactic. According to the rules of the tournament, if teams are tied on points, head-to-head is considered to break the tie, followed by net run rate. Malaysia, however, were not able to secure the qualification with that tactic. As per the rules of this competition, while the teams are tied on points it is the head-to-head criterion which is taken into consideration while breaking the tie. Only then the net run rate is taken into consideration.
With Bahrain having already qualified with four points and Tanzania beating them by 20 runs in their fixture meant they are level at points with Bahrain with both teams on top with four points each and have forged ahead into the next round of the competition. With only one between Vanuatu and Malaysia set to proceed to the next round and both teams tied on points meant Vannuatu's win over Malaysia took them through to the next round.