Fielding errors let Hong Kong down as PNG claim debut one-day international
Outclassed in every aspect, coach Charlie Burke laments his team's woeful display, but they have another chance to redeem themselves on Sunday
History was made, but sadly it was not by Hong Kong, who were outclassed and outplayed as Papua New Guinea won their first official one-day international (ODI) by four wickets in Townsville, Australia, on Saturday.
Hong Kong has waited 10 years for their first ODI win and will have to wait longer. Playing the seventh ODI in their history – the first was at the 2004 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka – PNG chased down a modest total of 202 with 10 overs to spare.
“It is very disappointing. We dropped two crucial catches and had we taken those it would have been a different story,” said Hong Kong head coach Charlie Burke.
The Jamie Atkinson-led team will have no time to despair and must rebound quickly as they play the second ODI today at the same venue – the Tony Ireland Stadium, Australia’s latest ODI-accredited ground.
Having won the toss on a flat track, Atkinson opted to bat first, but it was not long before Hong Kong were in deep trouble with openers Waqas Barkat and Irfan Ahmed dismissed, having just eight runs on the board. Atkinson (60) and teenager Anshuman Rath (21) carved out a 47-run partnership before another clump of wickets fell.