Vanuatu created history on Wednesday (25th September) as they successfully defended the lowest List A first batting total against Malaysia at Kuala Lumpur.
It was the Group A game between Vanuatu and Malaysia in the 2019-21 ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League. In that 50-over game, Vanuatu decided to bat first after winning the toss. But they only managed to score 65 runs (25.1 overs).
The opener Joshua Rasu (10 runs), Clement Tommy (11 runs), Nalin Nipiko (12 runs) and Williamsing Nalisa (11 runs) were the only batsmen to manage the double-digit scores in that innings.
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Among the Malaysian bowlers, Pavandeep Singh (4/16) and Nazril Rahman (4/14) managed to bag four wickets each.
In reply, Malaysia batting faced worst batting collapse as they were all out on 52 runs (21.4 overs). While Aminuddin Ramly (25 runs) was the highest run-scorer in that match, Nazril Rahman (10 runs) was the only other Malaysian batsman to reach the double-digit mark.
Patrick Matautaava claimed a five-wicket haul as he had the bowling figures of 10-3-19-5. Also, Apolinaire Stephen (3/30) picked up three wickets. Vanuatu won that match by 13 runs. The right-arm medium pacer Patrick Matautaava won the Player of the Match award for his outstanding bowling effort.
Vanuatu broke the 47-year-old record
After achieving this victory, Vanuatu broke the 47-year-old record. Now, their first innings total of 65 runs is the lowest defending total in List A cricket history.
The previous record was 76 runs which Middlesex had defended against Northamptonshire at Northampton on 7th May 1972 in the John Player’s League 1972. Then India’s top left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi played for the losing team Northamptonshire. While he failed to pick up a wicket in that game (0/19), he scored four runs with the bat.
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Lowest List A totals defended
| Team | Defended Total | Opposition | Venue | Date |
| Vanuatu | 65 | Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur | 25th September 2019 |
| Middlesex | 76 | Northamptonshire | Northampton | 7th May 1972 |
| Western Australia | 77 | Queensland | Perth | 12th December 1976 |
| Habib Bank Limited | 78 | Pakistan International Airlines | Rawalpindi | 19th November 1993 |
| South Zone | 82 | North Zone | Surat | 3rd November 1993 |