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Nadeem Ahmed’s left-arm spin may be needed against Papua New Guinea. Photo: Nora Tam

Spin a crucial factor in deciding ODI between Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea, says coach

With the series tied at 1-1, Hong Kong’s Simon Cook says whoever can play the spin sessions best are likely to win the third match

Spin is likely to play a major role when Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea go into today’s final one-day international with the series at stake at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.

PNG beat Hong Kong by 14 runs on Sunday to level the three-match series at 1-1 after the home side triumphed in the Friday’s opening match by 106 runs.

Hong Kong coach Simon Cook said the Mission Road pitch was likely to be conducive to spin bowling and he said the batsmen and bowlers who dominate are best placed to set up victory for their team. “It will be another tough game, we will be on another used strip so spin will play a big role,” said Cook. “The team that plays that period the best will win.”

This means that Hong Kong spinners Anshuman Rath and Nadeem Ahmed will be the main weapons against a strong PNG batting line-up. Rath took three wickets in the second ODI while Ahmed picked up four. Fast bowler Aizaz Khan claimed two wickets.

PNG relied on fast-bowling ace Chad Soper to cause a Hong Kong batting collapse as he took six wickets to prevent the home side from overhauling the visitors and sealing the series.

Cook said that Hong Kong captain Babar Hayat was expected to play after an injury scare from Friday’s first match.

“I don’t anticipate any issues there,” said Cook of Hayat’s place in the team.

The PNG series is part of Hong Kong’s preparations for two crucial ICC World Cricket League one-day internationals away to Kenya later this month,

Nazvi Careem

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Spin crucial for decider against Papua new Guinea
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