At Kallang, Rakesh Madhavan made 115 not out to help Malaysia to victory over Botswana by eight wickets.

Botswana set Malaysia a target of 234 and things started well for the Africans when Malaysia’s opening batsman Mohammad Shafiq departed for three runs after being bowled by Botswana captain Omar Ali.

This left the number-two batsman Madhavan to steady the ship and he was assisted for the majority of his innings by Ahmad Faiz as the pair put 116 runs on the board before Faiz departed for 56.

It was up to Malaysia’s captain Suhan Alagaratanam, who finished on 36 not out, to assist Madhavan to his century and put Malaysia into second place ahead of its final group stage match tomorrow against Singapore.

Madhavan said of tomorrow’s fixture: “It’s a great feeling to score a century and win man of the match but my focus, and the team’s, is now to tomorrow and our final group match which is against Singapore.

“We really want to beat them, which we know we can do, and tomorrow’s game is really important as it will secure us promotion to Division 5 in Nepal next year.”

Tomorrow will see the conclusion of the group stage of the tournament when Singapore will face Malaysia at Kalang, Botswana will take on Guernsey at Singapore Cricket Club and Norway will play Bahrain at Indian Association.

Botswana 233 all out, 50 overs (Faizal Rana 63; Hassan Ghulam 5-49)
Malaysia 234-2, 43.4 overs (Rakesh Madhavan 115 not out)
Malaysia won by eight wickets