Hong Kong demolish Singapore by 128 runs to secure semi-final berth against Nepal

Hong Kong have demolished Singapore by 128 runs to secure a semi-final berth against Nepal at the ACC Women's Twenty20 Championships being played in Kuwait.

Batting first after winning the toss, Hong Kong took 10 runs off the opening over of the match but they were soon on the back foot when both their openers, Neisha Pratt (5) and Keenu Gill (12), were sent back to the pavilion before the seven over mark. But a 101-run partnership between Connie Wong (60*) and Mariko Hill (49) lifted them to a respectable score of 145-3 from their 20 overs. Hill was unlucky not to reach a deserved half-century when she was stumped from the penultimate ball of the innings. Wong's 53-ball innings included 9 boundaries while Hill's 49 was struck from 45 balls and included four boundaries and one six.

Hong Kong's bowling attack was once again too much for their opponents and Singapore could only muster a paltry 17 runs from 15.1 overs in reply with 11 of those runs coming from extras. Connie Wong and Keenu Gill grabbed early wickets but it was the slow bowling of Chan Sau Har that did most damage as she grabbed four wickets for three runs in her four over spell.

Connie Wong was named Player of the Match for her superb batting and bowling effort.

Match Summary: Group A: Hong Kong Women v. Singapore Women at Hubara Oval, Kuwait

Hong Kong Women 145-3 from 20 overs (Connie Wong 60*, Mariko Hill 47) beat Singapore Women 17 from 15.1 overs (Chan Sau Har 4-3) by 128 runs

Unless there is a massive change in fortune, China will probably go through as the top placed team in Group A (their final match is against Singapore) while Hong Kong will go through as the second placed team. Hong Kong will face the Nepal, already confirmed as top placed team in Group B, in one semi-final while China will likely face Thailand in the other semi-final. Both semi-final matches will be played at the Hubara Oval on Thursday, 24th February with the final and 3rd & 4th placed play-off matches at the KEC ground on Friday, 25th February.