Hong Kong qualifies for Under-19 Cricket World Cup despite narrow loss to USA

Hong Kong has qualified for the 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup despite losing narrowly to the USA. Hong Kong qualify for the 2010 Cricket World Cup to be played in New Zealand on account of their superior run-rate over Uganda and the Netherlands who finished with the same win-loss record as Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's day didn't start well as they lost the toss and were asked to bat. Hong Kong's openers once again failed to see off the new ball and Vikash Gope and Shivang Baid were both dismissed within the first five overs. Nizakat Khan and Irfan Ahmed moved the score to 53 before Nizakat (14) was run out for the second time in as many matches. When James Atkinson's horror run with the bat continued, falling LBW from the very next ball, Hong Kong was teetering at 4-53. Things went from bad to worse as Ashish Gadhia and Waqas Barkat both fell cheaply and at 6-84 in the 23rd over Hong Kong looked to be down for the count. But a fine innings of 90 from 120 balls by Irfan Ahmed (including 9 fours), combined with some invaluable support from Asif Khan (34 from 68 balls) and some excellent hitting from Aizaz Khan (30 from 25 balls) saw Hong Kong reach a respectable total of 210-8 from their 50 overs. For the Americans, Hammad Shahid and Asad Ghous picked up two wiclets each.

In reply, the USA got away to a similarly bad start with both openers dismssed with 27 runs on the board. But the USA middle-order was able to put together a number of useful partnerships and although no player scored more than 31 runs, they moved the total to 6-189 after 45 overs; well in sight of a comfortable victory. But the USA cracked under pressure and a late flurry of wickets saw the ninth wicket fall with still two runs required for victory from the last over. Aizaz Khan was given the responsibility of bowling the last over and a single was taken from the first ball to tie the scores. Number 11 batsman Salman Ahmad was unable to score from the next three deliveries but wIth two balls to go and one wicket to get, the USA batsmen scampered a single to win the match in a thrilling finish.

For Hong Kong, Niaz Ali, Aizaz Khan and Asif Khan grabbed two wickets each while Nizakat Khan and Shivang Baid claimed one apiece. Hong Kong's Irfan Ahmed as named Man of the Match for his brilliant innings.

Scorecard: Hong Kong Under-19 v. USA Under-19

Hong Kong's disappointment at losing to the Americans soon turned to joy as rivals, the Netherlands, were beaten by Papua New Guinea. The Netherlands had a chance to claim the final spot with a victory over Papua New Guinea but they lost by 86 runs. Hong Kong's run-rate stayed above that of Uganda, who had a bye in the last round.

In the other matches, Ireland claimed the tournament title after thrashing Vanuatu by 291 runs while Canada beat Afghanistan by 5 wickets. Afghanistan finished runners-up in the tournament with PNG in third place.

Ireland, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Canada, USA and Hong Kong now join the 10 test playing nations (Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe) at the 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket Cup to be played in New Zealand during 16-30 January 2010.