It was smiles all around for classy New Zealand and Sri Lanka, huge sighs of relief for Pakistan and England and crushing disappointment for the home team as the opening act at the Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong Sixes unfolded yesterday at the Kowloon Cricket Club.
Unsung New Zealand, making a return after missing the past three tournaments, finished the day unbeaten, unbowed and on top of Pool A. Not only did they beat India and Pakistan, but they also crushed the spirits of Hong Kong and Dermot Reeve.
'So far, so good,' said Kiwi captain Matthew Horne after booking their berth in the Cup competition. 'It is pretty pleasing as most of us really didn't know what to expect. We were an unknown quantity but we played some good cricket out there today.'
New Zealand, lifted by the batting skills of Mathew Sinclair and the bowling of Andre Adams, are the only side to confirm their place in the Cup competition. The second team to qualify from that pool will be decided today with Pakistan fancied to grab that position.
Defending champions Pakistan, seeking a hat-trick of titles, failed to defend a total of 78 against the Kiwis, but bounced back with a four-wicket win over arch-rivals India to stay in contention for a Cup place.
Hong Kong are in mourning. Their grand hopes of entering the Cup competition for the first time in this tournament were crushed by New Zealand (losing by five wickets) and then India (by 37 runs). Runs proved a precious commodity for Hong Kong's batsmen yesterday, especially Reeve, making a comeback after two decades.
Meeting New Zealand in the very first match of the tournament, Hong Kong began briskly with Ryan Eagleson and Rahul Sharma putting on 36 in the first 15 balls before Eagleson was brilliantly caught one-handed by Matthew Walker on the point boundary.
