Brave Hong Kong go down to Afghanistan by 8 runs in the ACC Twenty20 Cup final

A battling effort by Hong Kong was not quite enough to overcome favorites Afghanistan in the final of the ACC Twenty20 Cup 2011 in Kathmandu today.

Having dismissed Afghanistan for 125 in their 20 overs, Hong Kong looked set for a massive upset when they reached 2-79 off 12 overs, needing just 46 runs from 48 balls for victory. But a strong fight back by Afghanistan saw them dismiss the young Hong Kong team for 117 in 19.2 overs to retain their ACC Twenty20 crown.

Earlier in the day, Moner Ahmed had claimed 5-23 in 3.5 overs as Afghanistan struggled to make progress after winning the toss and deciding to bat. Gulbodin Naib had held the Afghanistan innings together with 57 off 50 balls while Mohammad Nabi chipped in with 24 from 16 balls to boost the run-rate along. Nadeem Ahmed also bowled brilliantly for Hong Kong as he picked up 2-8 from his four over spell.

Hong Kong lost Irfan Ahmed in the first over of their reply but Waqas Barkat and Jamie Atkinson shard in a 48-run partnership at a run-a-ball to keep Hong Kong ahead of the game. Waqas hit 5 lovely boundaries in his 22 while Atkinson hit 4 fours in his 35, which was the top score for Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's good progress had Afghanistan on the hop and they were forced into to bringing back their strike bowlers early. The move paid dividends as Hong Kong wickets began to tumble. Moner Ahmed played his trademark reverse sweep for six but two balls later he picked out the fielder at deep mid-wicket and was out for 8. Babar Hayat, who had been dropped down the order, also smote a straight six but he had no answer to Hamid Hassan who came back to bowl the 19th over. Aizaz Khan was then run out and Kinchit Shah was cleaned up by Hassan as Hong Kong lost three wickets off the first three balls of the over. Hong Kong's last pair did their best to see Hong Kong home but Nadeem Ahmed was run out off the second ball of the final over as the batsmen tried to scamper home for a second run.

Hassan was named Man of the Match for for his 3-12 that turned the match for Afghanistan while Hong Kong's Moner Ahmed for named Player of the Tournament.

Scorecard: Hong Kong v Afghanistan