Game 2 of the 2017 East Asia T20 Cup saw the hosts Hong Kong take on China. Matches between these two fierce rivals have traditionally been keenly fought contests.
Birthday woman Yasmin Dawani ensured that this latest contest played at the Hong Kong Cricket Club was only ever going to end in a Hong Kong victory.
China’s captain Li Haoyue called correctly and China elected to field first.
Hong Kong’s opening pair of Daswani and Gill strode out purposefully and proceeded to take the attack to the Chinese bowlers during the initial power play period. Some fine attacking strokes from Daswani accompanied by some smart batting from Gill saw the partnership reach 50 in the 8th over. Daswani in particular was keen to seize on any errors in line and length from the Chinese attack.
Hong Kong were well set at 80 for no loss after 11 overs with a total of 170+ looking possible given the hosts talented attacking middle order. The 100 partnership between Daswani and Gill coincided with an excellent half century for Daswani.
Chinese final broke the opening partnership at the start of the 17th with the score on 130 when the impressive Zhongyuan comprehensively bowled Gill for a well-made 35. China’s bowlers battled through the full 20 overs and did well to restrict Hong Kong 161-3.
Yasmin Daswani with an excellent 71 not out held the innings together for Hong Kong and China will be happy with the way that they bowled and fielded in the last 5 overs where at one stage 180+ looked likely.
China’s opening pair of Caiyun and Yanling started off positively against the experienced new ball pairing of Chan and Hill. Chan was the first to make the breakthrough with Caiyun well caught by Ho at mid-off with the score on 14.
Chan picked up hers and Hong Kong’s second wicket with an excellent diving catch by Chan Sau Har at extra cover with the score on 16. Annie Ho grabbed the 3rd wicket after Yanling chipped the ball to captain Hill at short mid-wicket.
Ho was again in the action taking an athletic catch at mid-off to gift Gill a wicket in her opening over reducing China to 20-4 after 8 overs.
Some excellent batting from Z Chan (35) in the middle part of the innings kept China moving forwards as they finished on 75-5 after 20 overs and her form will be a plus for the team as they move into the later stages of this tournament.
Hong Kong’s fielding display was full of energy throughout with some excellent catches taken and high standards within the inner circle.
Overall, a comprehensive and clinical win for Hong Kong with Daswani the star. For China, they are lessons to be learned from today’s performance and much is expected of them over the weekend.
Result: Hong Kong 161-3 beat China 75-5 by 86 runs
Player of the Match: Yasmin Daswani (Hong Kong)
Full scorecard here:
