HK facing an uphill battle
Once again, Hong Kong have a mountain to climb. And it is not Mount Everest, which is just a 45-minute plane journey from Kathmandu, but the pesky Nepali bowling attack which they will have to negotiate for at least 100 overs if they are to salvage a draw in the ACC Premier League today.
Nepal tightened their grip on the three-day encounter yesterday, taking a handy 266-run lead with four second-innings wickets intact. Even if they declare without continuing to bat on the final day, it will still be a tough task for the Hong Kong batsmen, who will have to perform far above what they have shown so far, to save the match.
'It's not going to be easy chasing 260-plus on this wicket,' said Hong Kong assistant coach Lal Jayasinghe. 'We have a lot of work to do. But we have got the batsmen and all it takes is to stay positive.'
Easier said than done, for Hong Kong's batting is fragile. If not for stubborn knocks from tailenders Najeeb Amar (37), Afzaal Haider (23) and Ilyas Gull (13), Hong Kong wouldn't have been able to come close to the first-innings total of 136. From 60 for seven at one stage, this can be counted as a remarkable comeback.
But having conceded an 81-run deficit, the Hong Kong bowlers failed to counter-attack as Nepal finished the day on 186 for six with Paras Khadka unbeaten on 67. Nepal might be tempted to bat a few more overs today to take the match out of Hong Kong's reach, but even if they declare, Hong Kong face a long and uphill climb.
'We have a minimum of 105 overs to face on the last day. It will be very hard. But we have got no excuses. The batsmen have to deliver,' said Jayasinghe.
Last year, Hong Kong escaped with a draw thanks to rain. But this time, the omens are not as good. Hong Kong have their backs to the wall and it will take a determined and disciplined effort from a batting line-up, which is missing stalwart Rahul Sharma and regular captain Tim Smart, to save the day.
