Hong Kong poised to enter ACC Trophy semi-final

Hong Kong has all but secured a semi-final berth in the Asian Cricket Council Trophy following its 53 run win over Singapore in Dubai today.

Only one of the two teams forced to pay its own way to this tournament, Hong Kong, is now poised to make the final of a competition where its very participation has been a contentious issue.

While a shock loss to Kuwait, which has shown itself to be capable of producing such an upset would muddy the situation, Hong Kong is favourably poised to meet the Group B runner-up, likely to be Nepal, in the cross-over semi-finals.

In other matches in the second day of action, Malaysia survived a late charge from the tournament upstart, Kuwait, who needed six runs from the final over.

The mastermind of Kuwait's positive debut to international cricket, captain, Taher Bastaki, ironically played the shot which perhaps has caused its exit from this eight team 'second division' of Asian cricket.

Attempting to give his partner the strike, Taher, who had been plotting yesterday's upset win over Singapore for months, skied the ball into the air.

The result added to a potentially complex finish for Group A - should Singapore beat Malaysia, and Kuwait usurp Hong Kong, three teams will finish on four points.

Malaysia had scored 236-9, with opening batsman-wicket-keeper, Shankar Retinam, (46) and captain, Suresh Navaratnam (56) the key contributors. Arul Suppiah played a vital role at the end, both holding together the tail and scoring quick runs.

Hong Kong's win was another reflection of its mental application, as Singapore was actually ahead at the 25 over mark by 13 runs.

A sharp acceleration in which most of the late order struck quick runs presented Singapore with a target which would be hard to attain.

Salim Malik(55), Rahul Sharma, with 95, and Stewart Brew (50) gave Hong Kong a solid foundaton, passing the 200 mark for the loss of only four wickets.

Rishi Kaul was the pick of the Singapore attack with 48-3.

In reply, Australia residents, Andrew Scott (58), and Joshua Dearing initially led the assault, with Dearing scoring 42 from 54 balls.

Although Zeng Rengchun (48) and Kiran Deshpande (41 not out) struck out at the end, Hong Kong was a comfortable winner.

The Maldives had their opening match won before midday, beating the enthusiastic but perhaps overawed Japanese by eight wickets at Sharjah.

Japan won the toss and elected to bat, but was soon in trouble, losing wickets to inswingers from the medium slow Maldivian attack.

Extras were the top-scorer for the Japanese, aided by 19 Maldivian wides. Slow medium bowlers, Imad Ismail (3-11 from 7 overs) and Ahmad Amir (3-7 off 3 overs) broke up the Japanese top order with inswingers.

The last eight Japanese wickets fell for 38 runs.

In reply, the Maldives lost only two wickets, with Abdulla Shafeeh yorked by Japanese vice captain, Jummei Hanada for 12, and fellow opener, Afzaz Faiz (11), being claimed by a good second catch from Jun Saito.

Regardless of the standard, the match was a victory for cricket, featuring two totally indigenous teams.