Hong Kong slump to 154 defeat to Nepal
Hong Kong slumped to a 154-run defeat at the hands of hosts and tournament favorites Nepal at the Tribhuvan University Ground today.
Hong Kong slumped to a 154-run defeat at the hands of hosts and tournament favorites Nepal at the Tribhuvan University Ground today.
Nepal won the toss and elected to bat first and Hong Kong's new ball bowlers initially contained the Nepali batsmen but as Nepal's innings progressed, missed chances in the field were to cost Hong Kong dear. Hong Kong's spinners did not bowl with the same tidiness they had achieved in previous matches and the Nepali middle order profited as a result.The wickets were shared amongst the Hong Kong bowlers with Aizaz Khan returning the best figures of 2 for 28 off the maximum 8 overs and Nepal scored a reasonable total of 197 for 9 wickets in the allotted 40 overs. Keeper Miten Khatri took the catch of the tournament so far - a stunning low diving one handed effort at full stretch off the bowling of Aizaz.
The Hong Kong innings began disastrously with both Sagar Chandra and Niaz Ali running themselves out in the opening overs and after a partnership of 35 between Miten Khatri (10) and Nizakat Khan (21) the Hong Kong batsmen who followed surrendered meekly to the bowling of Sameer Nepal and Bhuwan Karki who each took 4 wickets. The last seven Hong Kong wickets fell for a total of 5 runs against some quality bowling on a rapidly deteriorating pitch.
It was a poor and tired performance by the Hong Kong lads who must now pick themselves up, after a rest day tomorrow, for their semi- final against the powerful Afghanistan squad who have dominated Pool B.
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