Nepal's bowlers strangle Hong Kong

Hong Kong lost to Nepal today at the Johor Cricket Academy ground in Johor Baru, Malaysia in the final group match for both teams. Hong Kong needed victory to ensure topping the group and avoiding Bangladesh in the semi final. This was not to be as the Nepalese bowling strangled the Hong Kong batting.

The day had started brightly for Hong Kong with captain Neisha Pratt winning the toss and electing to bat. What followed however was a difficult couple of hours as Hong Kong wickets tumbled regularly under severe pressure from the exuberant Nepalese fielding unit which needed no encouragement to appeal, reasonably tight bowling (only 1 extra was conceded), a few decisions which HK found themselves 'on the wrong side of' and some average shot selection by Hong Kong batsmen.

Keenu Gill top scored for Hong Kong with 10 runs and the highest partnership was a very disappointing 8 runs and Hong Kong posted just 31 runs all out in the 23rd over.

In reply the Nepalese batsmen played sensible if unadventurous cricket as they crept towards the winning target.

Hong Kong's bowlers put in an excellent effort, giving nothing away and beating the outside edge on numerous occasions. Chan Sau Har picked up 2 wickets for 9 runs, with all the bowlers posting miserly figures.

But Hong Kong probably needed another 20 runs to have forced Nepal to take more chances and the batters plodded to victory in the 23rd over for the loss of 3 wickets.

It was a disappointing and thought-provoking result for the Hong Kong girls who will however take heart from the bowling side of the match. It was also some consolation that Sam McIlwraith had been declared fit and came through the match without any recurrance of the leg injury incurred against Malaysia.

A match up with Bangladesh will take place on 17th July in the semi finals at the IPTI ground. China will face Nepal in the other semi final at the JCA ground also on the 17th, with the final scheduled for the 18th.

The winners of the tournament may be invited to compete at the Women's Asia Cup in December.

Mark Burns
HK Team Manager
15th July 2007