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Nazvi Careem

Hong Kong players have been told to focus on winning their ICC Twenty20 World Qualifier semi-final against Scotland on Saturday amid a reported probe by anti-corruption officials into their previous match.
Tim Cutler, chief executive of the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA), said the body doesn't want the issue to distract the players from their task of winning the tournament, having already qualified for next year's world finals in India.
ICC anti-corruption unit launches betting probe into Hong Kong v Afghanistan T20 World Cup qualifier
World Cup beckons – Hong Kong beat Afghanistan to qualify for ICC Twenty20 cricket finals
"The players are being asked to fully focus on Scotland and we will not let this distract us," said Cutler from Dublin. "We will let the ICC do what they have to do and we will concentrate on trying to win the tournament."

A media report on Wednesday said the world governing body's Anti-Corruption Security Unit (ACSU) is investigating betting patterns during Hong Kong's five-wicket win over Afghanistan in a play-off on Tuesday that sealed passage to India.
Shafiq Stanikzai, CEO of the Afghan cricket board, said in an e-mail to the SCMP: “It’s just a media thing. We have heard nothing officially from the ICC and we believe in our players. It was a fair game and HK played better cricket.”
The ICC on Thursday declined to comment, with their spokesman unwilling to confirm nor deny if an investigation is actually taking place.
"We are aware of the media reports but do not comment on ACSU investigations," the spokesman said.
Cutler said the HKCA is unable to comment on the reported probe, given the ICC had yet to approach them about the matter.
We will let the ICC do what they have to do and we will concentrate on trying to win the tournament
Tim Cutler, HKCA chief executive
He said a communique has been sent to the Hong Kong players reminding them to direct any questions to coach Charlie Burke or himself.
"We want to let them focus on the job at hand," said Cutler.
Meanwhile, comments by punters during the match suggest that betting activity increased during the later overs of the Dublin contest. Afghanistan were short-priced favourites before the match began, with some UK bookmakers offering prices as short as 4/5. However, during the final overs, bettors started to favour Hong Kong.
After the first media report emerged on the possibility of an ICC probe, one forum user on Betfair wrote: "...during the last few overs turnover soared on here, with HK much shorter than the odds offered by a few UK books."
Hong Kong needed 16 runs off the last over, bowled by Afghanistan spinner Mohammad Nabi, to successfully chase 162 and win the match.

Nabi bowled several full tosses and a wide as Hong Kong's Babar Hayat hit a four, six, three and finally a two off the last ball for 15 runs to seal victory. The other run came from the wide. Nabi had also taken the wicket of Mark Chapman in the first ball of the over while Hong Kong captain Tanwir Afzal was run out in the penultimate delivery, Nabi himself fielding and outrunning Afzal to the non-striker's end.
The last over was the subject of discussion among Betfair forum users, who were commenting before the media report emerged. "A lot of full tosses in the last over," wrote one user.
Another wrote: "seemed a poor choice of bowler." Yet another user wrote: "Afghan fielding and bowling in that last over was terrible. Well done to Hong Kong."
Afghanistan yesterday beat Papua New Guinea by six wickets in the second play-off to qualify for the World Cup finals.
I hope [Mark Chapman's performance] is recognised by Auckland in getting him involved in the first-class scene more there
Tim Cutler
Cutler said he hoped the issue doesn't detract from the performances of Hong Kong, who had earlier beaten favourites Ireland.
Former captain Jamie Atkinson, who scored 47 against Afghanistan, arrived in Ireland on a wheelchair after injuring his foot in Hong Kong while New Zealand-based vice-captain Mark Chapman has been in inspirational form.
"I hope [Mark's performance] is recognised by Auckland in getting him involved in the first-class scene more there," said Cutler.


Cricket betting probe: Hong Kong players told to focus on beating Scotland

Mohammad Nabi bowls a wide to Hong Kong's Babar Hayat during the final over on Tuesday. Photos: SCMP Pictures

Screengrab from Betfair forum.

Sport

HKCA still awaiting details from ICC over reported investigation into Tuesday's World Cup qualifier play-off win against Afghanistan


Hong Kong players have been told to focus on winning their ICC Twenty20 World Qualifier semi-final against Scotland on Saturday amid a reported probe by anti-corruption officials into their previous match.


Cricket betting probe: Hong Kong players told to focus on beating Scotland

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}HKCA still awaiting details from ICC over reported investigation into Tuesday's World Cup qualifier play-off win against Afghanistan

HKCA still awaiting details from ICC over reported investigation into Tuesday's World Cup qualifier play-off win against Afghanistan