Saudi Arabia Set to Compete in Quadrangular T20I Cricket Series in Malaysia

The Saudi Arabian senior men’s cricket team has arrived in Malaysia to participate in a high-stakes Quadrangular T20 International series alongside hosts Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. The tournament, scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 24, will be held at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur.

The opening day will feature Saudi Arabia facing Thailand at 10 a.m., followed by Malaysia taking on Singapore at 2 p.m. Each team will play the others twice in a round-robin format, with the top two teams contesting the final and the remaining two playing for third place on May 2.

Saudi Arabia enters the tournament with growing momentum following a strong performance in recent international competitions. In December 2024, the team participated in the Gulf Cricket T20I Championship in Dubai, where they secured a notable 11-run victory over the UAE — widely considered the tournament’s top side. That match saw Usman Khalid score a brisk 57, while Usman Najeeb starred with the ball, taking 4 for 25.

Khalid and Faisal Khan were standout performers during that tournament, scoring 185 and 166 runs respectively. Khan, in particular, impressed with a strike rate of 182 and 13 sixes. On the bowling side, Najeeb’s 10 wickets and Ishtiaq Ahmed’s best match figures of 4 for 12 highlighted the team’s all-round capability.

Earlier in 2024, Saudi Arabia also clinched the ACC Men’s Challenger Cup in Bangkok, defeating Cambodia in the final and qualifying for the ACC Premier Cup — part of the Asia Cup 2025 qualification pathway.

This week’s tournament will offer Saudi Arabia another chance to rise in the ICC world rankings. Currently placed 32nd, the team could break into the top 30 with a strong showing. Their competitors hold the following rankings: Malaysia (26th), Singapore (38th), and Thailand (55th).

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s junior cricketers are also in action, competing in the ACC U-16 West Zone Cup in Doha, Qatar. Running from April 23 to May 5, the tournament features 50-over matches against Oman, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The final will pit the top two teams in a title clash.

This dual engagement underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in cricket development at both senior and youth levels — a move that could soon place the Kingdom among Asia’s rising cricketing nations.