The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) can breathe a sigh of relief as the national bowlers will not return home empty-handed from the World Championships in Dubai.
But it was a heart-in-mouth moment, as Malaysia only secured both their medals in the final two events — men's and women's team.
Prior to that, the team, comprising a mix of elite and backup bowlers, just could not break the jinx of advancing further than the quarter-finals.
Team manager Maradona Chok said the national body had to gamble by experimenting with a new squad following the resignation of Shalin Zulkifli, Alex Liew, Adrian Ang and Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi in recent months.
Not to mention the challenges the team had to endure in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected MTBC's plans.
For the record, prior to the world meet, the bowlers' last international exposure was the 2019 Philippines Sea Games.
"We made the right decision in fielding a mixed team in most of the events, partnering the elite with the backup players, and they performed well.
"The backup squad still need more high-level competitions to settle their nerves and be more consistent.
"It is definitely looking bright with this team. Our elite players are guiding and helping the others in their game.
"As for not returning home empty-handed, it is a relief to some extent in breaking the quarter-finals jinx," said Maradona.
Yesterday, the men's team of Rafiq Ismail, Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam, Syafiq Ridhwan and Syazirol Shamsudin topped Group D in the second round before defeating the United States 279-258 in the quarter-finals.
They played South Korea in the semi-finals late yesterday. All semi-finallists are guaranteed medals.
The women's team of Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Natasha Roslan, Nur Shazwani Sahar and Faten Najihah Ahmad Faik finished second in Group B.
They rose to the occasion by defeating Germany 235-199 in the quarter-finals. They played the Philippines in the semi-finals yesterday.