Anshuman Rath hits maiden one-day century but Hong Kong fall short in epic run chase
Batsman scores 134 as the hosts lose by five runs in their ICC World Cricket League match at Tin Kwong Road
Hong Kong came agonisingly close to pulling off a thrilling victory over Netherlands in their opening match of the ICC World Cricket League series but fell five runs short at Tin Kwong Road on Thursday.
The last-wicket pair of Tanveer Ahmed and Nadeem Ahmed needed 10 runs off the final over bowled by Paul van Meekeran but they were only able to scramble three singles and two wides. Hong Kong ended their innings at 325 for nine after Anshuman Rath had scored a brilliant 134 chasing the Netherlands’ total of 330 for seven.
Hong Kong appeared to be cruising towards victory at 285 for three after captain Babar Hayat had scored 83. But once Nizakat Khan fell for 22, the Netherlands started to take control and wickets fell at regular intervals.
Hong Kong’s total of 325 would have been a winning score in any other game but on this occasion it wasn’t enough as they missed out on what would have been the highest successful chase in the WCL tournament.
“One that got away, which at the halfway stage we wouldn’t have expected, definitely one that we lost,” said Hong Kong coach Simon Cook.