KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's cricket talent needs to be exposed to higher levels of competition to further improve their performance.
In this regard, the Malaysian Cricket Association is eyeing to get good teams to play matches in the country as well as send key players to play in foreign leagues on attachment.
Its general manager, V. Clarence Selvam said by playing with better players and teams such as Australia, India and New Zealand, Malaysian cricketers could better hone their skills and eventually reach the higher echelons of the game.
"We'd love to send them overseas, but there are funding issues...we're now doing our best to get more sponsors and funding but it is not easy," he told Bernama here today.
Selvam spoke of the need to develop the sport locally, including organising more tournaments, and other activities.
Selvam noted that the national squad now comprised some 70 players in three categories, namely the national elite (national squad), national A team (back up) and development.
"The expenses for managing the squads in terms of aspects like board and lodging, transport and coaching are not small. But we're managing the situation by making use of available resources," he said.
Selvam said that while a number of Commonwealth countries had carved a name for themselves in the sport, Malaysia still had some way to go towards excellence.
"Talent such as national captain Ahmad Faiz Mohammad Noor, A.Suhan Kumar, Mohammad Shukri Abdul Rahim, and juniors Pavandeep Singh, Virandeep Singh have a promising future. Our target is to play in the 2023 World Cup," he added.
Malaysia is currently ranked 23rd among 105 member countries in the International Cricket Council's list and currently plays in the ICC World Cricket League Division 3 tournament.
By R.Vikneswaran -- BERNAMA
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