Malta national cricket team

In April 2018, the ICC decided to grant full Twenty20 International (T20I) status to all its members. Therefore, all Twenty20 matches played between Malta and other ICC members after 1 January 2019 will be a full T20I.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/672322|title=All T20 matches between ICC members to get international status|work=International Cricket Council|date=26 April 2018|access-date=1 September 2018}}

Malta played its first official T20I against, Spain, on 29 March 2019 during the 2019 Spain Triangular T20I Series. The match was played at La Manga Club, Murcia, Spain.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/match/11073|title=Malta vs Spain, Men's European T20I Tournament (Match-3)|work=International Cricket Council|access-date=11 March 2019}}

{{Single-innings cricket match

| date = 29 March 2019

| time = 15:30

| daynight =

| team1 = {{cr-rt|MLT}}

| team2 = {{cr|ESP}}

| score1 = 98/9 (20 overs)

| runs1 = Bikram Arora 28 (25)

| wickets1 = Tom Vine 4/28 (4 overs)

| score2 = 99/3 (12.1 overs)

| runs2 = Yasir Ali 57 (40)

| wickets2 = Jurg Hirschi 1/15 (2 overs)

| result = Spain won by 7 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/19149/game/1175344 Scorecard]

| venue = La Manga Club, Murcia

| umpires = Adnan Khan (Esp) and Harmit Phull (Esp)

| motm =

| toss = Malta won the toss and elected to bat.

| notes = First ever T20I match for Malta.

}}

Malta competed in every edition of the European Affiliates Championship from 1999 to 2005, their best result coming in 2001 when they reached the semi-finals. They competed in the tournament predecessor, the European Nations Cup in 1997, and competed in its successor, Division Three of the European Championship in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012.

In October 2013, Malta hosted an International Tournament, inviting the International Cricket Associations of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Russia. Malta played their games from 4 to 6 October. Khosla captained the side to 3 wins out of 3, culminating in a final day victory over Hungary where the latter could've also won the tournament with a victory. The winning runs were scored on a wide delivery with Haroon Majeed facing the ball.

Malta followed up their success with a second successive International Tournament victory in Budapest, Hungary. Malta defeated the UAE in the final in a tournament compromising of Hungary, Poland, Austria, Czech Republic, UAE and Malta. Bikram Arora hit the winning runs with a drive to the leg-side which made it to the boundary. Malta's Christopher Chellew won the Player of the Tournament and also scored the most runs in tournament.

Malta competed in a third International Tournament along with Sweden, Poland and Czech Republic, hosted by the latter in Prague. Malta had their 7 match unbeaten run ended by Sweden, when Malta fell 5 runs short of the Swedes' first innings target of 198 runs. Heavy rain and poor weather conditions all round caused Malta's game with Czech Republic to first be suspended and then abandoned in the 2nd innings after Malta were bowled out for 122. Malta got their first and only win of the tournament by successfully chasing 140 runs against Poland, who had already wrapped up the Tournament for themselves the previous day. This left Malta third in the table, level on points on Sweden but behind them on net run rate.

In September of the same year, Malta hosted Hungary in a 3-match series. The first two games were T20s with the first game being a decisive Malta victory while the second saw Hungary become the first National Cricket Team to win in Malta. The final game was a 50-Over Match. Hungary batted first and were bowled out for 121 runs. Chellew scored a half-century to inspire Malta to victory and a series win.

Malta boasts a climate that enables cricket to be played all year round{{Cite web |url=http://www.maltacricket.biz/ |title=Malta Cricket Association |access-date=12 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040914151822/http://www.maltacricket.biz/ |archive-date=14 September 2004 |url-status=dead }} and encourages visiting teams to come and play on the island.[http://www.maltacricket.biz/Info.htm Info] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060904221528/http://maltacricket.biz/Info.htm |date=4 September 2006 }} There are two grounds: Marsa Cricket Ground, in existence for over a century and Hal Safi Cricket Ground, which is rarely used. Twelve clubs contested the T20 2020 Summer League: Knight Kings, Super Kings, Southern Crusaders, Power Hitters, Swieqi United, Bugibba Blasters, Marsa, Msida Warriors, Overseas, American University of Malta, Paola Boys and Mater Dei.{{Cite web |url=https://www.crichq.com/competitions/4086/draws/47671/rounds |title=Malta Cricket League (Summer) - Draws - 2020 League |access-date=9 September 2020}} The 2019–20 Winter League took the form of a 50-overs Marsa Federations Cup, featuring five regional teams: Birkirkara Blues, Mellieha Stars, Rabat Titans, Sliema Riders and Valletta Vikings.{{Cite web |url=https://www.crichq.com/competitions/6854/draws/45521/standings_table |title=Winter League - Draws - 2019-20 Marsa Federations Cup |access-date=9 September 2020}}

{{location map+|Malta|float=center|width=400|caption=Locations of grounds which have hosted international cricket matches within Malta|places=

{{location map~|Malta|label=Marsa|position=right|lat=35.87917|long=14.49528}}

}}

This lists all the players who have played for Malta in the past 12 months or has been part of the latest T20I squad. Uncapped players are listed in italics.

Updated as on 20 August 2023

International Match Summary — Malta{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=3;id=45;type=team |title=Records / Malta / Twenty20 Internationals / Result summary |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=23 September 2020}}

Last updated 5 February 2025

• Highest team total: 216/8 v. Bulgaria, 23 September 2020 at National Sports Academy, Sofia.{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/highest_innings_totals.html?class=3;id=45;type=team |title=Records / Malta / Twenty20 Internationals / Highest totals |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=23 September 2020}}
• Highest individual score: 115, Zeeshan Khan v. Luxembourg, 11 July 2023 at Marsa Sports Club, Malta.{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_innings.html?class=3;id=45;type=team

|title=Records / Malta / Twenty20 Internationals / High scores |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=23 September 2020}}

• Best individual bowling figures: 5/11, Waqas Ahmad v. France, 16 July 2023 at Marsa Sports Club, Malta.{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_figures_innings.html?class=3;id=45;type=team|title=Records / Malta / Twenty20 Internationals / Best bowling figures|publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=3 September 2021}}

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Most T20I runs for Malta{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=3;id=45;type=team |title=Records / Malta / Twenty20 Internationals / Most runs |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=23 September 2020}}

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Most T20I wickets for Malta{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=3;id=45;type=team |title=Records / Malta / Twenty20 Internationals / Most wickets |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=23 September 2020}}

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T20I record versus other nations

Records complete to T20I #3091. Last updated 5 February 2025.

• List of Malta Twenty20 International cricketers

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.maltacricket.biz}}

{{National cricket teams}}

{{National sports teams of Malta}}

Category:Cricket in Malta

Category:National cricket teams

Cricket

Category:Malta in international cricket