Another spineless batting display resulted in Hong Kong tumbling to a 165-run defeat to Nepal in the ACC Premier League in Kathmandu.
Hong Kong were bowled out for 139 in the second innings to hand Nepal a well-deserved victory. This defeat, which follows on the heels of last month's 158-run loss to Singapore, places Hong Kong in real danger of finishing at the bottom of the five-country tournament.
Nepal had ended the second day 266 runs in front with four wickets remaining. They extended their lead to 304, before declaring on 223 for eight.
'I didn't want to take any chances. It was still an open game,' said Nepal coach and ex-Sri Lanka international Roy Dias. He should have had more faith in his bowlers, who had dismissed Hong Kong for 136 in the first innings.
Hong Kong fared marginally better in terms of runs scored in their second lease. They batted longer, 80 overs compared to the first innings, when they were dismissed in 55 overs. This was mainly due to a stubborn knock from Irfan Ahmed, who made 42.
'We looked as if we could have saved the game, but poor shot selection and loss of concentration cost us,' said Hong Kong assistant coach Lal Jayasinghe. 'We were chasing the game from day one.'
