Hong Kong get Challenge League B campaign off to winning start in Uganda, beat Italy by 58 runs
- Aizaz Khan stars with bat and ball, while Kinchit Shah scores a century in opening game in Kampala
- Italy put on 124 for ninth wicket to set up nervy finish at the Lugogo Cricket Oval
Lugogo Cricket Oval, Kampala (Hong Kong won toss): Hong Kong (2pts) beat Italy (0) by 58 runs
Hong Kong got their Challenge League B campaign off to a nervy start on Saturday, eventually beating Italy thanks to Kinchit Shah’s century but not before getting an almighty scare.
Having reduced their opponents to 101 for eight in the 25th over, Nizakat Khan’s side appeared to be cruising to victory at the Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala after posting 283 all out in their 50 overs.
Then came Italy’s opening bowler Jaspreet Singh, who bludgeoned 81 runs off just 60 balls and put on 124 for the ninth wicket with Crishan Kalugamage (50) to give his side an unlikely shot at victory.
Ultimately, the pair came up short, departing within the space of five balls. Kalugamage was first to go, bowled by Eshan Khan in the 44th over with the score on 225.
Singh followed on the first ball of the next over, becoming Aizaz Khan’s third victim of the day as he holed out to Nizakat Khan.