Malaysia received a boost ahead of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 6 when it defeated Singapore to win the annual Stan Nagaiah Trophy.

In the opening match, Singapore, playing under the guidance of new coach Trevor Chappell, scored 225-7 in 50 overs, with Munish Arora (76) top scoring, but Malaysia chased down the target with nine wickets and 6.3 overs in hand, with Mohammad Shafiq scoring 117 not out.

Malaysia then clinched the trophy with an eight-wicket victory in the second game when Singapore crashed to just 169 all out, with four of the batters run out.

But half centuries from Munish Arora and Anish Param restored Singapore's pride when it recorded a five-wicket win over Malaysia in the final match of the series.

Singapore coach Trevor Chappell told the Singapore Cricket Association website: 'Most of the players are very talented and it's a shame that they ended up on the losing side. One or two small things can all add up. But I am not disappointed. I have seen some areas which I know we can change in the lead-up to the World Cricket League Division 6 tournament coming up at the end of the month.'

Malaysia and Singapore will both compete in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 6 later this month, along with Bahrain, Botswana, Guernsey and Norway.