Hong Kong urged to bounce back after crushing defeat
Coach Charlie Burke encourages players to show what they can do after suffering stage fright in their World Twenty20 opener
Hong Kong must show the world they can compete with the big guns after suffering stage fright on the opening day of the ICC World Twenty20, coach Charlie Burke said.
Their abject capitulation to Nepal on Sunday, by 80 runs, was blamed on a failure to handle the pressures of being on the world stage in front of millions of people on television.
With two more games in the group stage left, against Afghanistan today and hosts Bangladesh on Thursday, Burke has urged his side to bounce back quickly and try to salvage their pride.
"We have got to play without fear and soak up the atmosphere," Burke said. "This performance was really disappointing, but it is not a true reflection of what we are capable of. We have to remain positive and get on with the job. We are a good side and must show the world what we can do."
In one of the worst performances in recent years, Hong Kong were bowled out for 69 as they chased 150 for victory. If the batting was dismal, the bowling and fielding were no better with three catches grassed and eight wides sent down.
"Nerves got the better of us," skipper Jamie Atkinson said. "This was a big game for Hong Kong, but at the end of the day Nepal handled the pressure better than we did.
"Playing on the big stage got to us. The big crowd, the game being televised all contributed to the pressures. It was really disappointing how we played, but at the end we have to admit that they performed better than us."