The good news first - Hong Kong scored 200 against the top-notch Bangladesh Academy. The bad news was that it was not enough as they lost the first of three one-dayers against the visitors by 71 runs.
But despite the defeat, new Hong Kong coach Aftab Habib was cheerful as he praised his young team for showing enough bottle and determination against a bunch of professionals who a few months ago went into the lion's den - Australia - and emerged with a 5-2 (win-loss) record against state academy teams.
'I was not too worried about winning or losing but more worried about how we would play against a professional team like Bangladesh. I must say the boys stood up to the challenge,' said Habib.
Chasing 272 for victory in 45 overs - Hong Kong were penalised three overs for a slow over-rate - the home team were never in the hunt thanks to tight bowling by the opening pair of Mahababul Alam and Kamrul Islam, and finished on 200 for eight.
Munir Dar hit a superb cameo - 50 off 32 balls, including two lovely reverse-sweep sixes. He figured in a 78-run partnership (in 10 overs) for the sixth wicket with impressive teenager Aashish Gadia (34 not out) which helped lift Hong Kong to some sort of respectability.
Yesterday's encounter at the Hong Kong Cricket Club was Habib's first game in charge of Hong Kong. He has pinned his hopes on youth - six of the team were teenagers while three more are in their early 20s. This policy will be the cornerstone of his tenure and, on first impressions, it seems to be paying off.