Irfan carries Hong Kong home against Denmark

Irfan Ahmed carried his bat for a brilliant unbeaten 91 as Hong Kong defeated Denmark by 35 runs at the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in Dubai.

Batting first in dusty and blustery conditions, Hong Kong piled on the runs to finish on 170-5 from their allotted 20 overs. Irfan's contribution was well supported by Babar Hayat who hit 28 from 26 balls and Jamie Atkinson, 31 from 21, while Nizakat Khan, 15 from 9, hit a brief cameo towards the end. In reply, Denmark were restricted to 135-9 from their 20 overs, with 16 year-old Kinchit Shah claiming 4-21 in his first bowling spell for the Hong Kong senior team.

Earlier in the day, the Hong Kong starting XI had to be changed just prior to the game after Asif Khan was felled during the warm-ups by a full blooded drive from Jamie Atkinson that struck the young bowler squarely between the eyes. Asif was checked by the medical staff at the ground and later sent to the hospital for a further assessment and scan. He was cleared of any serious injury but will be rested for the next couple of games.

Asif's place in the side was keenly grasped by Kinchit Shah, who seized the opportunity with both hands. With the Denmark batters making good headway towards their target, Atkinson threw Kinchit the ball to have a go with his useful off-spinners. After conceding 10 runs from his first over, Kinchit reeled off three more overs in which he grabbed 4 wickets for only eleven more runs, including former county cricketer Freddie Klokker.

Irfan Ahmed received the Man of the Match award for his brilliant unbeaten innings of 91 off 60 balls which included ten 4s and two 6s.

Scorecard: Hong Kong v. Denmark