Johor beats Sarawak right off the bat in cricket

JOHOR has reaffirmed its dominance of the Malaysia sporting scene after its women’s cricket team emerged as champions in the inaugural Malaysia Cricket Association (MCA) under-19 interstate tournament.

With Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club (JDT) dominating the Malaysian Super League with 10 consecutive league titles, the Johor Cricket Council (JCC) has been working diligently towards glory as well.

JCC’s hard work is paying off as its under-19 women’s team made history by winning the tournament that was held at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Bangi, Selangor.

Led by team manager Haikal Harith and with former international cricketer Azhar Zainal, Johor Zealous dominated throughout the tournament that involved eight teams.

In the group stage, it beat Negri Sembilan, Perak and Selangor before defeating Pahang in the semifinals.

Saving the best for last, the team ruthlessly defeated its opponent, Sarawak, by 10 wickets for a resounding victory.

The win bodes well for Johor’s preparations for the upcoming MCA senior women’s T10 interstate tournament which will feature seven state teams.

Additionally, the victory positions the Johor women’s cricket team to qualify as a category-A team under the state sports council’s Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2024 criteria.

This comes as the women’s T10 cricket is set to be contested in Sukma 2024, that will be held in Sarawak.

JCC president Datuk Avinderjit Singh congratulated Johor Zealous players and officials for their achievements that created sports history for the state.

“The team’s achievement is our humble gift to Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, who is poised to be installed as the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said.