# Shortest T20I Match in History Concludes in Just 44 Balls as Malaysia Secures Dominant Win

> The Asia Pacific Cricket Champions Trophy 2025 final was reduced to five overs per side due to rain, becoming the shortest T20 international match in history as Malaysia chased down the target in 14 balls.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-08-18 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/shortest-t20i-match-in-history-concludes-in-just-44-balls-as-malaysia-secures-dominant-win-18044 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** T20 Cricket, Malaysia Cricket, Hong Kong Cricket, Cricket Records, Asia Pacific Trophy, Syed Aziz, Virandeep Singh

Cricket is a sport renowned for dramatic records, but international T20 history witnessed a contest that wrapped up in a mere 44 deliveries. The entire result of this final was decided in just 7.2 overs of on-field action. Taking place last year in 2025 in Singapore, this uniquely brief encounter formed the centerpiece of the Asia Pacific Cricket Champions Trophy 2025 final, played between the national teams of Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Hosted at the Singapore National Cricket Ground, the championship match faced severe disruptions from persistent rainfall. While a standard T20 fixture requires each side to contest 20 full overs, the relentless downpour forced officials to truncate the match significantly. Conditions ultimately dictated that both innings be shortened to just 5 overs per side, compelling batters to chase runs aggressively by attacking nearly every delivery. Malaysia won the toss and elected to field first under overcast skies.

Hong Kong commenced their innings with intent, yet the batting lineup suffered regular setbacks as wickets tumbled at regular intervals. Wicketkeeper batter Zeeshan Ali contributed 11 runs from just 6 deliveries, striking one boundary and one maximum before being bowled by Virandeep Singh in the 1.2 over mark. Hayat followed quickly after, dismissed for 4 runs from 3 balls by the same bowler, leaving Hong Kong struggling at 16 for 2 after 1.4 overs. Nizakat Khan provided little resistance either, managing 5 runs from 4 balls with one boundary before Vijay Unni removed him, leaving Hong Kong reeling at three down in 2.3 overs.

Anshuman Rath then stepped up to anchor the innings through a blistering knock, salvaging a respectable total for Hong Kong. He smashed 27 runs off just 12 balls, striking three fours and one six at an impressive strike rate of 225. Rath partnered with Martin Coetzee to forge a crucial partnership that pushed the score past the 50-run threshold, though Rath was run out near the conclusion of the innings. Coetzee finished unbeaten on 3 runs from 4 balls, while captain Yasim Murtaza faced a single delivery to remain not out on 2 runs. Consequently, Hong Kong finished their 5-over allocation at 52 for 4, setting Malaysia a target of 53.

Virandeep Singh proved to be the standout bowler for Malaysia, claiming 2 wickets while conceding 16 runs across his 2 overs, accounting for Zeeshan Ali and Hayat. Vijay Unni chipped in with 1 wicket while conceding 12 runs in his single over. Captain Syed Aziz conceded 9 runs in his over, and Khizar Hayat gave away 15 runs in his sole over. Given the shortened nature of the game, the primary objective for the Malaysian bowling attack was containing the opposition, a goal they accomplished by restricting Hong Kong to 52.

Chasing a modest target of 53 runs would normally be straightforward, yet a 5-over shootout inherently carries pressure. However, Malaysian captain Syed Aziz Mubarak turned the chase into a one-sided affair from the outset. He hammered an unbeaten 36 runs off just 9 deliveries, launching 1 four and 5 towering sixes to devastate the bowling attack at a strike rate of 400. At the other end, Aslam Khan Malik delivered an equally explosive performance, remaining unbeaten on 18 runs from 5 balls with 3 fours and 1 six at a strike rate of 360. Together, the pair raced to 55 runs in just 14 deliveries, sealing a resounding 10-wicket victory and securing the championship in what remains the shortest completed T20 international match in the history of the format.

## What this means for you
- **Globally:** This match establishes a unique benchmark in international cricket as the shortest completed T20I contest, highlighting the volatile nature of shortened formats.
- **Locally in Singapore:** The Singapore National Cricket Ground witnessed a historic weather-affected final that concluded in record time.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. At which venue was this match played?
The match was hosted at the Singapore National Cricket Ground.

### 2. How many total balls were bowled in the match?
Due to rain reductions, the match concluded after just 44 legal deliveries across both innings.

### 3. What score did Hong Kong manage batting first?
Hong Kong scored 52 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in their allotted 5 overs.

### 4. How many balls did Malaysia take to chase the target?
Malaysia chased down the target in just 14 deliveries to win by 10 wickets.

### 5. Which player recorded the highest strike rate?
Malaysian captain Syed Aziz Mubarak batted at a strike rate of 400 to score an unbeaten 36 runs.

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