Babar Hayat hits Hong Kong’s first double century in first-class cricket
Captain scores 214 not out in the first innings, belting six sixes and 27 fours in an innings and 29-run victory over Papua New Guinea
Babar Hayat became the first Hong Kong player to score a double century in first-class cricket on Friday in his side’s ICC Intercontinental Cup innings victory over Papua New Guinea in Sharjah.
The Hong Kong captain scored a superb 214 from 421 balls to help his team to 348 all out in 139.3 overs in response to PNG’s first innings of 237 all out.
Ehsan Khan and Nadeem Ahmed then took nine wickets between then as PNG were bowled out for 82 in their second innings, giving Hong Kong victory by an innings and 29 runs in day three of their four-day match – their final fixture of their I-Cup campaign, which features six other teams.
“Obviously, we’re very happy, it was a great performance from the guys and I’m happy for myself,” said Hayat. “I wasn’t really thinking about 200 because we had reached the tail but Tanveer [Ahmed] stood up there and faced the bowlers and he was amazing.
“It was also good to see Nadeem back in the team, he has always performed for Hong Kong and him and Ehsan Khan bowled very well for us.”
Hayat, who will also captain Kowloon Cantons in next year’s Hong Kong T20 Blitz, hit six sixes and 27 fours in his 421-ball stay at the crease and his total was almost double the runs scored by his 10 teammates combined.