Division 7 winners Bahrain began its run in WCL Div. 6 with a two-run victory over Malaysia in a close fought match at the Indian Association ground.

Having won the toss Bahrain elected to bat and did not start well, with none of its top six batsmen making more than 24 runs. It then became the task of Azeem Ul Haque and Qamar Saeed to steady the ship.

Azeem managed to clock up 43 runs before being bowled by Malaysia's Muhamad Nik Azril, but Qamar managed to stay in until the end of the innings amassing 75 runs, giving Malaysia the task of chasing down 237.

Malaysia started well and did not lose its first wicket until 47 runs were on the board but lost its second after one more run was added. It was up to Malaysia's captain and vice-captain, Suhan Alagaratanam and Faiz Ahmad to chase down the runs, with both batsmen making half-centuries.

Bahrain's Halal Abbasi claimed Faiz's wicket after he'd scored 68, and Alagaratanam departed on 58 having been run out by substitute fielder Shahzad Ahmed.

The Malaysians tried their hardest to keep up with the run-rate but when the final over came they were two runs short of the target set by the opposition.

Malaysia coach Rajiv Seth said: 'It was our match to lose, and we did that – it's not a great feeling but we must try our hardest to do well for our next game which is against Norway who secured a good victory today over Botswana.'