Hong Kong lose to Scotland in ICC Twenty20 World Qualifier semi-final
Coach Charlie Burke unhappy with batting as they are bowled out for 116 in 19.4 overs
Hong Kong failed to do justice to their qualities against Scotland in the semi-final of the World T20 Qualifiers in Dublin on Saturday, falling by five wickets after being bowled out in 19.4 overs.
An early blitz by Scotland took the game away from Hong Kong as they easily overhauled 116 with 46 balls remaining.
Coach Charlie Burke was unhappy with his players’ performance after two excellent pressure wins against Nambia and Afghanistan that helped them qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 finals next year in India.
To be bowled out in a Twenty20 is inexcusable. It’s not a wicket where we should have only got 116
“To be bowled out in a Twenty20 is inexcusable,” said Burke. “It’s not a wicket where we should have only got 116. We didn’t hit any of our batting targets that we had so it always makes it harder to post a decent total when you don’t achieve any of those.
“There was poor decision-making with our shot selection. When they had the field up and the square fielders back we knew it was only going to be slower balls or short balls, but we kept falling into their hands a little bit. There’s a lot to learn from – we just need to be a lot smarter. But Scotland are a good side.
“We talk about having a deep batting order – there’s no point talking about it unless you produce it. Probably seven of our wickets were due to wrong options,” he said.
Buoyed on by a hearty contingent of Scottish fans, Scotland exploited conditions akin to those across the Irish Sea with the brutal straight driving of Kyle Coetzer and ferocious clean hitting of Matthew Cross setting them up to emphatically chase down their target of 117 for the loss of five wickets.
Hong Kong now play Ireland in the third-place play-off on Sunday. Victory would at least give Hong Kong a top-three finish and enhance the sport’s hopes of entering the Hong Kong Sports Institute’s elite programme.
Defending a relatively meagre total was always going to challenge the Hong Kong bowlers, even if the memory of defending 129 against Ireland on the same ground eight days earlier should have provided heart.
But Scotland’s batting, fusing brute force and innovation, has been among the most powerful in the tournament.
Coetzer lashed 16 from the opening over of Scotland’s run chase from Tanwir Afzal before Haseeb Amjad’s wicket maiden that induced Calum MacLeod to inside edge on to his stumps gave Hong Kong hope.
We talk about having a deep batting order – there’s no point talking about it unless you produce it. Probably seven of our wickets were due to wrong options
Coetzer and Cross, though combined to add 53 in 24 balls, producing sustained power hitting of the ilk that Hong Kong had yet to encounter in Ireland.
Cross was caught in the covers for 39 off Tanwir to reduce Scotland to 68-2. Irfan Ahmed then produced a fine spell that lifted Hong Kong. Coetzer was sharply taken by Anshuman Rath after pummelling a ball to short midwicket, and Richie Berrington edged Irfan behind to reduce Scotland to 83-4, still 34 shy of their target.
Hong Kong achieved a measure of control but it did not last long as Preston Mommsen and George Munsey carried on the intent shown by Scotland’s top order. A well-directed short ball by Aizaz Khan dismissed Mommsen. Scotland, though, were always in charge of their chase.
Hong Kong lost the toss for the fifth consecutive match and Scotland chose to field.
The opening partnership between Irfan Ahmed and Jamie Atkinson had been crucial in Hong Kong’s victories over Namibia and Afghanistan. But it fared less successfully today: Atkinson perished first ball, getting a leading edge attempting a pull off Ali Evans.
The wicket did not deter Hong Kong from attempting to exploit the Powerplay. When Irfan launched Josh Davey over extra cover, Hong Kong reached 21-1 off two overs, and seemed to have brushed aside the loss of Atkinson. But Nizakat Khan, who had unfurled one sublime cut, edged Evans behind attempting a similar shot; Irfan then fell to a leading edge attempting to smite Safyaan Sharif to leave Hong Kong on 23-3 in the fourth over.
Wickets fell regularly after that and despite Mark Chapman’s bright 24 off 23 and Aizaz Khan’s 21-ball 31, Hong Kong were unable to dominate the Scottish bowlers.
Burke said he may make a few changes to the Hong Kong side for the third-place game. “One or two of the guys might get their opportunity tomorrow but we certainly won’t just do that to give them a run in the park – they’ll deserve it.”
