-
Advertisement
Cricket Hong Kong
SportCricket

T20 cricket: Hong Kong make a record total to reach final in first home matches in 5 years

  • Hosts make their highest ever Twenty20 total before holding off a Kuwait run chase that picked up steam in the closing stages
  • The victory guarantees place in final of APC Group T20I series, in which they will face Malaysia

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
2
Anshuman Rath on his way to Hong Kong’s top score of 57 as they defeated Kuwait. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Tom Bell

Hong Kong’s men’s cricketers made their highest ever score in a Twenty20 international on Thursday, in a victory over Kuwait that ensured they will contest the final of their home quadrangular tournament.

But they still had to hold their nerve in the field to clinch a second win in two days in the APC Group T20I series at Mong Kok’s Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.

It booked them a meeting on Sunday with Malaysia, whom they also play on Saturday in their remaining round-robin match of these first international fixtures in the city in five years.

Advertisement
That record total of 161 for seven had a solid foundation, courtesy of Anshuman Rath, and again a late flourish, this time by debutant Adit Gorawara. Much as Aizaz Khan had provided in Wednesday’s defeat of Bahrain, Adit’s flurry helped set up an 11-run margin when Kuwait finished on 150 for nine.
Ravija Sandaruwan hits to the leg side as Hong Kong wicketkeeper Adit Gorawara looks on. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Ravija Sandaruwan hits to the leg side as Hong Kong wicketkeeper Adit Gorawara looks on. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Batting first after losing the toss, Hong Kong started positively, taking 12 and 14 from the first two overs. Nizakat Khan pushed on with a sweetly timed six over long off, then stood stock-still at the crease in disbelief when he reached for a delivery from Shahrukh Quddus without committing fully, directing it to wicketkeeper Usman Patel.

Advertisement

An over later, Babar Hayat fell, too. For the second day running, he signalled the big-hitting intent for which he is known in domestic cricket, and for the second day running he was gone in a flash, nicking Sayed Monib’s wide-ish long hop.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x