Hong Kong beat NSW U19s by 9 runs in first T20

Hong Kong turned the tables on the NSW U19s in the first of a series of T20 matches at Blacktown International Sportspark, winning by 9 runs in scorching conditions.

Batting first, Hong Kong posted a respectable 6-144 from their 20 overs with Jamie Atkinson once again top-scoring for Hong Kong with 38. Useful contributions also came from Waqas Barkat (21) and Tanwir Afzal (17*). In reply the NSW U19s batting line-up was restricted to 4-135 despite a half-century from Jake Scicluna (53) and a solid 39 from Nicholas De Guisti. Irfan Ahmed was the pick of the Hong Kong bowlers, claiming 2-17 from his spell.

Match Summary: Hong Kong 6-144 (Jamie Atkinson 38, Wagas Barkat 21, Tanwir Afzaal 17no; Daniel Fallins 2-22, Riley Ayre 1-8) defeated NSW U19s 4-135 (Jake Scicluna 53, Nicholas De Guisti 39, Damien Mortimer 14; Irfan Ahmed 2-17)

The second match planned for the day has been cancelled due to the extreme heat being experienced in Western Sydney, with mercury expected to top 39 degrees Celsius.