A Chinese fan at the Hong Kong v China World Cup qualifier talks about hating HongKongers and that China is wonderful.
I was taking photos of the Chinese fans, and suddenly this guy was talking about Chinese fans hating Hong Kong, so I started to record…
Tanwir Afzal led from the front with a captain’s knock of 73 to lead his team to victory, and the top of the World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) table, with a 136-run win over host UAE in the second and final ODI of the series.
The day belonged to the Hong Kong skipper, who not only continued his winning streak with the toss, but went on to top score with a 33-ball 73 and snare three wickets in an unforgettable Man of the Match performance.Tanwir’s flashy 24-ball half-century was the equal third-fastest ever by an Associate player in ODI cricket. The knock steadied the sluggish Hong Kong innings and helped post a competitive total of 282 that had seemed unlikely earlier in the match.
After electing to bat, Hong Kong’s Anshuman Rath (53), Waqas Barkat (27) and Mark Chapman (27) all contributed runs, but the side regularly lost wickets and struggled for the most part to keep the run rate competitive. Three run outs in less than 13 overs added more pressure to the batting side, though it benefitted from three dropped catches in the field. With the score precariously placed at 159 for six from 36.6 overs, the skipper came to the crease, and quickly set about finding the buildings outside of the boundary rope.
Seemingly inspired by the captain’s fireworks, number nine batsman Aizaz Khan struck three consecutive sixes on his way to an unbeaten 37 from only 31 balls, and the pair put on a match winning 101-run partnership for the eight wicket at an astonishing run-rate of 11.22. The partnership was the highest stand for the eighth wicket in the competition, and the sixth-highest partnership overall.
Hong Kong piled on 109 runs in the last 10 overs, the second highest total by an Associate team in that part of the innings, to post a reassuring total of 282 for eight.
The UAE responded in similarly heavy hitting fashion, but stumbled with the loss of four early wickets to be 38 for four after 6.2 overs. Dangerman Shaiman Anwar held the innings together with a stylish 71, and the tailenders held their ground doggedly against the Hong Kong bowling attack for six more overs to add six runs, before Anshuman Rath delivered the final ball to dismiss the hosts for 146 runs in 40.1 overs.
The win seals a successful week for Hong Kong, which beat the UAE by 89 in the first WCLC ODI and by 276 in their four-day, first class ICC Intercontinental Cup clash.
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Hong-Kong-v-China-Mongkok/i-5V7CTvD
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Three hours before kick-off and fans queued around the corner to enter Mongkok Stadium for the World Cup qualifier against China. The atmosphere was electric, the noise and passion there for all to see and hear as ‘We are Hong Kong’ echoed across the territory – loud enough to be heard in the Liaison Office and Beijing.
The fans might have been denied the chance to fill Hong Kong Stadium, but HongKongers pride in their team was evident. Every touch greeted with a roar, every Chinese touch a massed boo. For long periods Hong Kong defence resembled the lion rock, stout, imperious, resolute and quietly in command of all it sees… There were scares with crossbar and post hit multiple times. In attack Hong Kong were often careless with the ball, giving it away far too easily, but the crowd roared them forward, keeping tired legs pumped with adrenaline.
Hong Kong scored the stadium erupted, the referee whistled dis-allowing the goal for a ‘foul’ on the keeper. It was a soft decision, as were the multiple over the top Chinese tackles that should have seen yellow but were ignored. There was a feeling the referee was politically managing the game, looking to ensure nothing he did would harm either team.
Hong Kong had chances, both teams hit the woodwork – irrespective of the impact on World Cup qualifying – the draw was cheered as mightily as a win. We are Hong Kong!
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Outside Mongkok Stadium after Hong Kong’s World Cup qualifier against China, a boisterous show of Hongkonger’s pride in Hong Kong – Hong Kong is not China.
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A record-breaking maiden century by Mark Chapman, making his ODI debut for Hong Kong, earned his team an 89-run victory in its World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) clash against host UAE in Dubai.
Making his ODI debut alongside Chris Carter, the 21-year-old vice-captain waltzed into the record books with an undefeated 116-ball 124, the second-highest ODI score ever made by a batsman on debut. Chapman is second only to West Indies’ Desmond Haynes (148), and he is the 10th player in ODI history to score a century on debut.
His undefeated knock of 124, which included two sixes and 11 boundaries, anchored the Hong Kong’s total of 298 for the loss of only four wickets after its 50 overs, before dismissing the UAE for 209 all out to record an 89-run victory.
Earlier, openers Anshuman Rath (36) and Kinchit Shah (34 retired) put on a 77-run partnership, but a collision between the two as they scampered between wickets sent Kinchit back to the dressing room with an injured shoulder. Number three Babar Hayat (45) continued his run-scoring streak and put on a 90-run partnership with Chapman, the highest partnership of the game. But it was Chapman, who arrived in Dubai on Saturday, who dominated the crease with a measured but aggressive knock that saw him still at the crease at the end of 50 overs.
Nizakat Khan added a career-best 28, and for the UAE, Ahmed Raza and Zaheer Maqsood picked up two wickets each.
If the UAE were intimidated by either the record-breaking centurion or the imposing run chase, it did not show it. Amjab Ali (18) and Shaiman Anwar (76) quickly set about striking boundaries, but the Hong Kong bowlers managed to take regular wickets around them. 18-year-old Anshuman Rath starred with three wickets 22 runs, while Haseeb Amjad picked up three for 49.
The sides will return for the second match in the two-ODI WCLC encounter on Wednesday 18 November.
Women’s League
Saturday, 14th November 2015
HKCC Cavaliers v CCC Fung Wong
In the Women’s League, HKCC Cavaliers beat CCC Fung Wong by 94 runs. Cavaliers batted first after winning the toss and they reached 6/213 from 33 overs with opener Ruchitha Venkatesh continuing her recent good form by carrying her bat for 80 not out. Kary Chan was the pick of the Fung Wong bowlers as she claimed 3/51 from seven overs.
In reply, Cindy Ho also carried her bat for 52 not out, but hers was a lone hand as CCC Fung Wong were bowled out for 119.
At PKVR Reservoir: HKCC Cavaliers 6/213 from 33 overs beat CCC Fung Wong 119 from 23 overs by 94 runs.
Sunday, 15th November 2015
PACC v HKCC Willow Wielders
At PKVR Reservoir: PACC gave a walk-over to HKCC Willow Wielders.
DLSWCC Wasps v KCC Maidens
At KCC: DLSWCC Wasps and KCC Maidens abandoned due to wet weather.
Saturday Championship Division 1
KCC Crusaders v Centaurs
KCC Crusaders earned their first win of the season with a 58-run victory over Centaurs. Crusaders batted first and scored 160 with Ashley Caddy hitting 52 and Chirag Kothari 30. Nasir Hameed was the best of the Centaurs’ bowlers with 3/33 from six overs while Keith Frith grabbed 3/37. After a promising start, Centaurs folded meekly and could only muster 102 in their reply. Chirag Kothari completed a good double with 4/15 from seven overs while Steve Pratt grabbed 4/26, also from seven overs.
At KCC: KCC Crusaders 160 from 31.4 overs beat Centaurs 102 from 31.1 overs by 58 runs.
KCC Tartars v HKCC Witherers
At Hong Kong Cricket Club, KCC Tartars batted strongly to beat HKCC Witherers by seven wickets.
Batting first after winning the toss, Witherers reached 175 in 34.2 overs thanks largely to the efforts of skipper Charlie Bright and Jonathan Worby who scored 34 and 58 respectively. Ateeq ul Rehman was the pick of the Tartars’ bowlers with 3/35 from his seven over spell.
In reply, Tartars’s openers got them off to a flyer by putting on 105 runs for the first wicket with Gurjant Singh hitting 54. Skipper Akash Sureka contributed 39 as Tartars scorched home in 27 overs to earn a bonus point with Najeeb Amar also hitting an unbeaten 35.
At HKCC: HKCC Witherers 175 from 34.2 overs lost to KCC Tartars 3/181 from 27 overs by 7 wickets.
Saturday Championship Division 2
USRC/MCC v DLSWCC Spartans
In Division 2 action at Mission Road, USRC/MCC walloped DLSWCC Spartans by 71 runs.
Batting first, USRC/MCC recovered from 8/64 to score 161 with number 10 Babar Ali hitting 56. Suresh Pandey was the pick of the Spartans’ bowlers with figures of 3/19 off his seven overs.
After losing an early wicket, Spartans recovered to 1/40 but a middle-order slump saw them reduced to 5/54. They recovered to 6/88 but then folded for 90. Mohammad Usman did the major damage with the ball, claiming 5/26.
At MR: USRC/MCC 161 from 34.3 overs beat DLSWCC Spartans 90 from 26 overs by 71 runs.
Kai Tak CC v HKUCC
At PKVR Park, Kai Tak CC defeated HKUCC by three wickets. Kai Tak won the toss and put HKU into bat. HKU were dismissed for 117 in 28.3 overs with Brett Hutton claiming 4/9 for Kai Tak.
In reply, Kai Tak lost seven wickets in chasing down the total but they got there in 27.5 overs to earn a bonus point. Peter Williams was the mainstay of their innings with 33.
At PKVR Park: HKUCC 117 from 28.3 overs lost to Kai Tak CC 7/118 from 27.5 overs by three wickets.
Sunday Championship
HKCA Dragons v SLCC
The HKCA Dragons suffered their second loss of the season when they were thrashed by Headwin Tritons SLCC by 175 runs at Mission Road.
The Dragons bowlers would have been reasonably satisfied with their bowling effort, having restricted the SLCC batting line-up to 6/264 from their 50 overs. Asad Arif (45) and skipper Mukhtar Ahmed (44) laid the foundation for SLCC while Akbar Khan finished things off with an unbeaten 75.
The Dragons batters struggled from the outset after losing opener Vincent Chu for a golden duck. Hamid Khan grabbed three early wickets as Dragons were reduced to 5/44. A 38-run partnership between Eddie Ang and Li kai Ming got Dragons to 79 but Ashad Rasheed then wrapped up the match with a spell of 5/3 in three overs, including a hat-trick, as Dragons were routed for 89. Hamid Khan finished with figures of 3/19.
At Mission Road: Headwin Tritons SLCC 6/264 from 50 overs beat HKCA Dragons 89 from 26 overs by 175 runs.
HKCC Wanderers v USRC/MCC
At Hong Kong Cricket Club, there was a thrilling finish as HKCC Wanderers scored a narrow one-run wicket victory over USRC/MCC.
USRC/MCC elected to bat first in seaming conditions but they were soon reduced to 4/47 with Angus Robson claiming three wickets. Tim Cutler grabbed 4/31 in a damaging spell as none of the USRC/MCC batsmen could reach 25 and Robson picked up his fourth wicket as the USRC/MCC innings was eventually wrapped up for 124.
The Wanderers innings followed much the same pattern as USRC/MCC’s. They lost wickets regularly and were struggling at 6/71 with still plenty to do. Tim Cutler and Christopher White combined for the day’s best partnership of 40 runs to lift Wanderers 6/111 but three quick wickets saw them reduced to 9/113. Cutler and Angus Robson however held strong for Wanderers as they eked out the last few runs in a nail-biting finish. Cutler finished on 28 not out while Banny Singh claimed 3/37 for USRC/MCC.
At HKCC: USRC/MCC 124 from 32.4 overs lost to HKCC Wanderers 9/125 overs from 33.2 overs by one wicket.
