The Saudi Arabian senior men’s cricket team has landed in Malaysia to compete in an exciting Quadrangular T20I series against Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. The tournament kicks off on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, where Saudi Arabia will face Thailand at 10 a.m., followed by a match between Malaysia and Singapore at 2 p.m.
This series is structured so that each team will play against the others twice, with the top two teams advancing to the final scheduled for May 2, 2025. Saudi Arabia's last appearance in a T20 international was in December 2024 during the Gulf Cricket T20I Championship held in Dubai, where they showcased a commendable performance against the UAE, the tournament's strongest team.
In that match against the UAE, Saudi Arabia posted a competitive score of 182 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs, with Usman Khalid leading the charge by scoring 57 runs off 40 balls. The UAE looked set to chase down the target, thanks to a solid third-wicket partnership of 144 runs, but a stunning bowling performance from Usman Najeeb, who took 4 wickets for just 25 runs, helped Saudi Arabia clinch an 11-run victory.
This win marked Saudi Arabia's third victory in five matches during the tournament, although they narrowly missed out on a place in the final due to Kuwait's win over Oman. Khalid was a standout player for Saudi Arabia, accumulating a total of 185 runs throughout the championship, while Faisal Khan contributed significantly with 166 runs, including 13 sixes, achieving a strike rate of 182. Additionally, Usman Najeeb was instrumental with the ball, taking 10 wickets, and Ishtiaq Ahmed recorded the best bowling figures of 4 for 12 in the tournament.
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia triumphed in the second edition of the ACC Men’s Challenger Cup held in Bangkok, a key qualification event for the upcoming 2025 Asia Cup. In the final, they defeated Cambodia by five wickets, with both teams securing their spots in the ACC Premier Cup. Meanwhile, Singapore, who faced Saudi Arabia in the Challenger Cup, managed to secure third place by beating Japan by eight wickets.
On the other hand, Singapore's recent form has been less favorable, as they suffered a 3-0 series defeat to Bahrain in their last T20I outing. Their performance in the Cricket World Cup Challenge League Group B in February 2025 also left much to be desired, with the team winning only one out of ten matches, resulting in their elimination.
Malaysia, the hosts, have had a mixed bag of results. They won the ICC T20 World Cup Asia A Qualifier on home soil in September 2024 but failed to secure a win during a T20I tri-series against Bahrain and Hong Kong in March 2025, with Bahrain eventually taking the title after a six-wicket victory over Hong Kong in the final. Interestingly, Bahrain made headlines by becoming the first team in T20I history to not score a run in a super over playoff against the same opponents earlier in the tournament.
As for Thailand, they are regarded as a rising force in the cricketing landscape, featuring a blend of local talent and Indian coaching expertise. The team is captained by Austin Lazarus, with Akshaykumar Yadav opening the batting. Thailand's recent record against Saudi Arabia has not been favorable, with their last encounter resulting in a five-wicket defeat for Thailand during the Asia Qualifier B for the ICC T20 World Cup in November 2024.
In that match, both Faisal Khan and Abdul Waheed stood out, each hitting centuries and contributing to a total of 18 sixes between them. However, Thailand is not to be underestimated; with an improving squad, they pose a competitive challenge.
Currently, Malaysia ranks 26th in the ICC world rankings, while Saudi Arabia sits at 32nd, Singapore is at 38th, and Thailand is in 55th place. This series presents a golden opportunity for all teams to climb the rankings significantly, especially for Saudi Arabia, who could break into the top 30 with a string of victories.
As the senior tournament unfolds, Saudi Arabia’s young cricketers are also getting a chance to shine in the ACC U-16 West Zone Cup, taking place in Doha, Qatar, from April 23 to May 5. This tournament features six of the best teams in the region competing in a five-match league format, with Saudi Arabia aiming to improve on their previous performance, where they lost all five matches in the last edition held in Dubai in March 2023.
The excitement surrounding the Quadrangular T20I series is palpable, with fans eagerly anticipating the matches. As Saudi Arabia and Thailand prepare to clash, all eyes will be on the players to see who can seize the moment and set the tone for the tournament. With both teams having something to prove, this match promises to be a thrilling encounter.
In the latest updates, Saudi Arabia has won the toss and opted to bat first in their match against Thailand. The playing XI for both teams has been confirmed, with notable players like Faisal Khan and Usman Khalid representing Saudi Arabia, while Thailand fields a strong lineup led by captain Austin Lazarus.
Fans can catch the action live on FanCode in India as the tournament progresses. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, every match in this series will be crucial for the teams involved.
