KUALA LUMPUR: The national bowlers got their season off to a promising start when 10 of them secured provisional spots for the AIK International Tournament final round in Stockholm, Sweden on Friday.
Shalin Zulkifli was the highest ranked Malaysian with a six-game total of 1,434 pinfalls for eighth position overall.
Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi was the next best Malaysian at 10th place on a 1,431 total, followed by Asian No 1 Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman (14th —1,413), Syafiq Ridhwan (23rd — 1,397), Rafiq Ismail (31st — 1,387), Alex Liew (37th — 1,377), Timmy Tan (39th — 1,375), Ahmad Muaz Fishol and Sin Li Jane (joint 42nd — 1,370), and Adrian Ang (55th — 1,351).
Esther Cheah (111th — 1,291) was the only Malaysian outside the top 100.
National assistant coach Ben Heng said: "I am happy with their performances.”
"They adapted well to the lanes, and got it right on both the equipment change and lines (on the lanes).
"It is a great start to the season to have 10 bowlers on the provisional standings,” said Ben Heng.
The tournament ends on Sunday with the stepladder finals.