Hong Kong beat Fiji by 129 runs

Hong Kong continued their fine run at the ICC World Cricket League Division 4 tournament with a comprehensive 127-run win over Fiji at the University of Dar-es-Salaam ground today.

Hong Kong won the toss for the third match in a row and once again elected to bat. Scattered thunderstorms were forecast for the day but, although they caused disruptions in the other matches, there was only a brief interruption in this match.

Hong Kong got off to a bright start, racing to 26-0 by the end of the fourth over. However they lost their first wicket in the next over, after which the pace of the game settled into a more regular tempo. Hong Kong's batting has proven to be sound during this tournament and once again the batsmen showed their mettle. Zain Abbas (47) and Butt Hussain (48) shared in a 92-run partnership that lifted the total to 131 before Abbas was run out (again). Roy Lamsam continued the momentum with an unbeaten 55 from 48 balls. Hong Kong's innings was briefly interrupted in the final over when rain forced the players from the field with the score at 228-7. The players returned to the field shortly thereafter and Hong Kong was able to finish its innings, reaching 233-7 from its 50 overs, their third 200+ run score of the tournament. For Fiji, Waisake Tukana claimed the best bowling figures with 3-34.

In reply, Fiji's batting frailties were exposed as they succumbed meekly for 104 in 30.1 overs. Najeeb Amar (3-21) and Nadeem Ahmed (3-28) claimed the best bowling figures for Hong Kong. It was Fiji's first score over 100 but their third heavy defeat in as many matches has shown them to be well out-classed in this league. Hong Kong's Zain Abbas won his second Player of the Match award for the tournament.

Hong Kong's victory ensured that they retain their place in Division Four of the ICC World Cricket League. But with the team continuing to perform well with both bat and ball, Hong Kong will have higher goals and, from here, failure to gain promotion back to Division Three will be a major disappointment. They will hope to achieve that goal when they face the other form side in the tournament, Afghanistan, in tomorrow's match to be played at the Anadil Burhani ground. With a place in the tournament final on offer to the winner, there will be much to play for.

Scorecard: Hong Kong v. Fiji (subject to confirmation)

In other matches played to today, Afghanistan maintained their unbeaten record with a narrow 8-run victory over hosts Tanzania while Italy condemned Jersey to their third defeat, by a 29-run margin. Both matches were affected by the forecast rains and each required an adjustment to the the run-chase targets. Interestingly, every match played in this tournament to date has been won by the team batting first.

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