Afghanistan pummel Hong Kong

Afghanistan demonstrated their class with a clinical performance to demolish Hong Kong by nine wickets at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the penultimate group match of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. The loss leaves Hong Kong with no chance of making the top three in the eight-team group and a chance to play in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2012.

Hong Kong was dealt a major blow when in-form skipper Jamie Atkinson was unable to pass a fitness test on his hamstring and had to sit out the game. Jamie's misfortunate gave Li Kai Ming the opportunity to make his debut for Hong Kong and he was duly presented with his 'baggy red' cap just prior to the start of the match. Skippering duties for the match were handed over to vice-captain Nizakat Khan. Asif Khan also came back into the team after being rested following the head blow he sustained while warming-up before the previous day's match.

Hong Kong won the toss and elected to bat in cool and hazy conditions on account of an overnight sandstorm. Unfortunately, they were immediately in trouble after Babar Hayat was bowled from the fifth ball of Dawlat Zadran's first over and debut skipper Nizakat Khan followed the very next ball for a golden duck after failing to move his feet and presenting a simple catch to backward point. Courtney Kruger (4) was third to fall when he was bowled by Samiullah Shenwari, playing back to a ball that kept a little low.

Throughout the early stages, the innings was held together by Irfan Ahmed, who batted once again with maturity. He tempered his naturally aggressive game but still managed to punish the few bad balls that the Afghan bowlers threw his way. In Waqas Barkat he found a useful partner and the pair batted for six overs, scoring at run-a-ball, to lift Hong Kong's total to 60 at which stage Waqas fell for 16. Irfan was next to fall when he was well caught in the deep by Mohammad Nabi off the bowling of Zadran for a well struck 54 from 52 balls including three 4s and two 6s - his third half-century score of the tournament. When Moner Ahmed fell two balls later, it was left to the tail to lift Hong Kong to an eventual total of 103-9 from their 20 overs. Zadran picked up another two wickets to claim 5-14 from his 4 overs.

In reply, Afghanistan got off to a flyer with Max Tucker's opening over being pumped for 20 runs, including four boundaries. Aizaz Khan replaced Tucker and claimed Hong Kong's only wicket when he induced an edge from Karim Sadiq's bat after he'd scored 22 from 9 balls. The breakthrough did not stop the Afghan batters as Javed Ahmadi and Mohammad Shahzad blazed away. The end came quickly for Hong Kong as Afghanistan raced to their target in 11.1 overs with Ahmadi unbeaten 38 from 26 balls while Shahzad finished on 43 not out from 32 balls.

None of the Hong Kong bowlers was spared punishment but Li Kai Ming bowled tidily, only conceding one boundary in his two over spell.

Afghanistan's Dawlat Zadran picked up the Man of the Match award for his spell of 5-14.

Scorecard: Hong Kong v. Afghanistan