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HK Cricket Match Report: Women’s Twenty20 Cup – 13 March 2016

kary chan

Women’s Twenty20 Cup – 13 March 2016

CCC Fung Wong v USRC
In the first match of the day, CCC Fung Wong’s Kary Chan made the highest score in the competition this season with 132 not out in a total of 0/204 against USRC.

In reply, the USRC women, batted out their 20 overs and finished on 6/73 with Sweta top scoring with 14.
At PKVR Reservoir: CCC Fung Wong 0/204 from 20 overs beat USRC 6/73 from 20 overs by 131 runs.

DLSWCC Wasps v HKCC Willow Wielders
A couple of rain interruptions affected the second match of the day between DLSWCC Wasps and HKCC Willow Wielders.

A delayed start saw the match reduced to 19 overs per side after which DLSWCC Wasps batted first and scored 8/146. Shanzeen Shahzad top scored with 35 while Manpreet Kaur and Jaswinder Kaur scored 34 and 24 respectively. Marina Lamplough was the best of the HKCC bowlers with figures of 4/29 from her four over spell.

Another rain break between innings saw the HKCC Willow Wielders target reduced to 115 from 15 overs. The Willow Wielders had little trouble reaching the revised target thanks to unbeaten knocks of 61 by Mariko Hill and 39 by Marina Lamplough.
At PKVR Reservoir: DLSWCC Wasps 8/146 from 19 overs lost to HKCC Willow Wielders (target reduced to 115 from 15 overs) 1/116 from 13.4 overs by nine wickets.

photo: Takumi Photography

Scotland Beat Hong Kong by Eight Wickets

Scotland has sealed an eight-wicket victory over Hong Kong chasing a revised target of 76 runs in a rain-affected match in Nagpur on Saturday.

After Hong Kong posted 127 for seven in its 20 overs, Scotland passed the revised target to finish at 78 for two in eight overs, and also record its first victory in a global ICC tournament.

Earlier, A 49-run partnership between vice-captain Mark Chapman (40) and 18-year-old Anshuman Rath (21) formed the foundation for the Hong Kong innings.

Rain stopped play at in the final over of Hong Kong’s innings, and Kinchit Shah and Aizaz Khan came back to the crease for three balls to add seven runs and push Hong Kong to a modest total to 127 for seven.

Rain during the innings break led to the revision of the Scotland target and a reduction of its innings to nine overs. Its batsmen came out swinging, hitting boundaries to ensure that Scotland stayed about the required run rate. Matthew Cross top scored with 22, while for Hong Kong, Aizaz Khan and Nadeem Ahmed claimed a wicket apiece.

Captain Tanwir Afzal felt his side had let an opportunity slip through its fingers: “I think I am quite happy with the first two games, we fought really hard, but we lack of experience and maturity. So we can play better than we showed here. We did not take our chances tonight.”

Coach Simon Cook agreed: “To a certain extent, yes, we are an inexperienced side. You take Ryan Campbell out and our average age is 20. We don’t have a lot of grounds in Hong Kong, so our domestic structure also lends itself to infrequent cricket. It becomes tough to get the group together.”

“I am a little bit disappointed as to how we played, because we are a better side than what we’ve showed in these three games. We’ve certainly proved that in the past, with the recent World Cricket League Championship and ICup matches, that we are a competitive side. I’d like to see that we keep making progress.

“That inexperience comes in as how to play on those slower pitches, understanding that 140 to 145 is actually a really competitive total and not trying to go for the 150s or 160s. There’s a combination of things, but I certainly would have liked us to win at least one game in this tournament.”

The coach continued: “A few things that we’ve been working on haven’t quite clicked. One of our strengths in the past has been our partnerships, having batters batting through the majority of the innings, and finishing the end of the innings explosively. And the fielding, we worked really, really hard with Trevor Penney who came over and did some work with us prior to coming away. They are controllable things for us, and when we play against better teams, you want to try and do your controllables very well, and everything else hopefully fits in.”

Looking ahead, Cook said: “We’re so new to this level of cricket, this is the most cricket we’ve ever played, so we are kind of happy! Having said that, the more cricket, the better for us, and I understand that there may be frustration of how the calendar is scheduled. I think when we find our footing a little bit more in the Associate calendar, then we’ll probably want more cricket.”

Source: HK Cricket Association
Photo: ICC Cricket

Disappointing Hong Kong Out With a Whimper

After a bright start Hong Kong’s middle order failed again as Afghanistan bossed their way to second successive win, this time by six wickets, to set up a knockout match against Zimbabwe to determine the Group B qualifier for the World Twenty20 Super 10s.

Hong Kong won the toss and, opting to bat, raced away to 40 without loss before losing the plot as four wickets fell in four overs – mostly to lose shots. Although Mark Chapman could do little about a superb yorker from Gulbadin Naib. Hong Kong needing to post a good score to stay in the tournament just couldn’t find the boundary rope and struggled to reach 116 for 6 – mainly thanks to Anshuman Rath’s unbeaten 31-ball 28. A total that was 40 short of what Tanwir Afzal, the captain, hoped to get.

Hong Kong’s slim chance was to pick-up early wickets, that that didn’t happen and the game was reduced to a cakewalk for Afghanistan who won with two overs to spare.

Ryan Campbell, who struggled on his Hong Kong debut two nights ago, opened with a ‘high-risk, high returns’ approach and muscled five early boundaries. But Nabi’s slow turn beat him as he attempted a sweep and the ball bounced back onto the stumps. Two balls later Babar Hayat’s disappointing tournament with the bat continued as he was deceived by the flight and chipped a simple catch to cover.

Rashid Khan, the skiddy legspinner made an impact immediately with his mix of googlies and sliders as Hong Kong’s batsmen suddenly started playing for demons that weren’t there. The slow bowlers scythed through the middle order, with the continuous loss of wickets making run-scoring difficult.

Amidst the carnage, Rath nudged his way along playing with soft hands, and using deft touches to push his team to 116 for 6. Nabi was the pick of the bowlers, his 4 for 20 the best figures by an Afghan bowler in T20Is.

Noor Ali Zadran’s straight boundary off the first ball of Afghanistan’s innings heralded the start of the end. With little swing or nip off the surface, the pacemen resorted to gentle off-cutters. Afzal then turned to spin in the hope of doing to Afghanistan what Nabi and Rashid Khan did to them. But the batsmen’s application thwarted their designs as Afghanistan scored 43 in the first six overs. Overconfidence got the better of Shahzad, who holed out to long-off for a 40-ball 41 to give Campbell his first T20 wicket. Nabi and Noor Ali then milked the bowling before an ungainly slog ended Nabi’s stay. Two balls later, Noor Ali was run-out courtesy Hayat’s flat throw from the deep.

The three wickets in quick time did very little to lift Hong Kong, whose muted celebrations were a giveaway that it wouldn’t really affect the big picture as Afghanistan completed an easy chase and knocked a hugely disappointing Hong Kong out of the World Twenty20 tournament.

Afghanistan 119 for 4 (Shahzad 41, Noor Ali 35) beat Hong Kong 116 for 6 (Rath 28, Campbell 27, Nabi 4-20) by six wickets

source: ICC, cricinfo

Hong Kong Stumble Against Zimbabwe

Batting fireworks from Jamie Atkinson and Tanwir Afzal were not enough as Hong Kong lost to Zimbabwe by 14 runs in the opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 2016 in Nagpur on Tuesday.

A late flurry with the bat, including a career-best 44-ball 53 from Atkinson and a brisk, undefeated 31 from skipper Tanwir off 17 balls, was not enough to chase down the target of 159 set by Zimbabwe.

It was the first time the teams have faced each other in a T20I, and Hong Kong’s precise fielding kept the Zimbabwe batsmen on their toes, with Babar Hayat contributing to three brilliant run outs from the boundary. Skipper Tanwir and 21-year-old Aizaz Khan claimed two wickets apiece as Zimbabwe posted 158 runs for the loss of eight wickets.

In response, Hong Kong got off to a slow start, but opener Atkinson unleashed to score 27 runs in his last three overs, while Tanwir smashed three fours and a six to race to an unbeaten 31 runs from only 17 deliveries. The batting onslaught proved too little, too late, however, and Zimbabwe recorded the first victory of the tournament by 14 runs.

Captain Tanwir Afzal said that despite the disappointment of losing, he saw many positives in his side’s performance: “Our plan was to bowl first and to restrict them for less than 140, and I think we managed that really well in the middle overs. We were in a position to control them, to restrict them below 145. The last few overs weren’t really good, so I think we had a very good plan that we executed well until the last few overs.”

“Even with their total, we knew we could chase that total and we know our batting ability, we can chase that.”

Tanwir said that the Zimbabwean bowlers effectively kept the Hong Kong run rate down at the beginning of the run chase: “We know that if we can save the wickets in the powerplay, we can accelerate later on. But unfortunately, we were able to save the wickets, but we couldn’t get our target in the powerplay. Credit goes to the Zimbabweans, they bowled really well in the powerplay.

“Of course we are disappointed with the result, and we know that runs really matter in the points table. The next game is really crucial for us. We know that we are still alive in the group, and we will work very hard to produce better results in the next game.”

Reflecting on his all-round performance, Tanwir said: “It’s all about the team and team work. Forget about my performance – if we win, that is a big thing for me.”

Hong Kong will have one rest day before it faces Afghanistan in a night match at the VCA Stadium, Nagpur, on 10 March.

Result: Zimbabwe won by 14 runs
Zimbabwe 158 for 8, 20 overs (Vusi Sibanda 59, Elton Chigumbura 30 not out, Malcolm Waller 26; Tanwir Afzal 2-19, Aizaz Khan 2-33, Nadeem Ahmed 1-26)
Hong Kong 144 for 6, 20 overs (Jaime Atkinson 53, Tanwir Afzal 31 not out, Mark Chapman 19; Donald Tiripano 2-27, Tendai Chatara 2-28)

Man of the Match: Vusi Sibanda

Hong Kong Ready to Shine at ICC World Twenty20

Hong Kong will face off against Zimbabwe in the opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 on 8 March at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. The Hong Kong Dragons are currently ranked 12th in the game’s shortest format and captain Tanwir Afzal has declared his team’s intention to show the world that the Dragons are not there just to make up the numbers.

The 27-year-old all-rounder spoke to media on the eve of the tournament’s opening match, and said that his young side was both well prepared and excited about facing the Test nation. “We have worked really hard in our preparation for this tournament, and we arrived early in India for some warm-up matches. The team is really excited about playing on the international stage, especially here in India where the people love cricket so much. We have a young side and believe in our ability. We know that Zimbabwe is an experienced side, and they have a few good players. So we know the statistics of the players, and we have a plan; we will work on their weaknesses.”

In the ICC World Twenty20 fist round, Hong Kong have been drawn in Group B with Zimbabwe, Scotland and Afghanistan for a place in the Super 10 stage. One team from the group will advance. If Hong Kong tops the table it will advance to Group 1 where it will join 2010 winner England, South Africa, 2014 champion Sri Lanka and 2012 winner West Indies. Hong Kong’s first Group 1 match would be against the reigning champion, Sri Lanka, at Eden Gardens.

Hong Kong and Zimbabwe have only met once before, in a last-ball thriller won by Hong Kong in a warm up match ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 2014. Hong Kong went on to record one of the biggest upsets of the tournament when it defeated host Bangladesh by two wickets, it’s first-ever win against a Test-playing nation in an official international match.

Hong Kong is appearing in its second consecutive ICC World Twenty20 event after gaining T20I status in 2014, and the skipper said that playing in the tournament is important for the growth of the game in Hong Kong. “If you see the last few years, we have come through the international process. A few years ago, we were in Division 3. We then got T20I and one-day status two years ago. Any success we get helps to grow cricket back home, and impact on our new generation.”

ICC World Twenty20 2016 Schedule

8 March: Hong Kong v Zimbabwe, VCA Stadium, Nagpur, at 5:30pm (15:00 IST)

10 March: Hong Kong v Afghanistan, VCA Stadium, Nagpur, at Midnight (19:30 IST)

12 March: Hong Kong v Scotland, VCA Stadium, Nagpur, at Midnight (19:30 IST)

Hong Kong Squad
Tanwir Afzal (Captain), Mark Chapman (Vice Captain), Haseeb Amjad, Nadeem Ahmed, Adil Mehmood, James Atkinson, Waqas Barkat, Ryan Campbell, Christopher Carter, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, Waqas Khan, Kinchit Shah, Anshuman RathI

HK Cricket Match Report: Women’s Twenty20 Cup – 28 February 2016

Women’s Twenty20 Cup – 28th February 2016

Only two of the three Women’s T20 Cup games were played this weekend with PACC unable to field a team against USRC while HKCC Willow Wielders enjoyed a bye.

KCC Maidens v CCC Fung Wong
In the early game, played in sunny conditions, KCC Maidens beat CCC Fung Wong by 40 runs.

The CCC women elected to field first but they spent the next twenty overs chasing leather as KCC notched up a score of 7/146 from their 20 overs. Keenu Gill top scored with 74.

In reply, Kary Chan and Pull To both hit 31 but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome the KCC team’s score. In the end, CCC Fung Wong reached 6/106 off their twenty overs.
At PKVR Reservoir: KCC Maidens 7/146 from 20 overs beat CCC Fung Wong 6/106 from 20 overs by 40 runs.

DLSWCC Wasps v HKCC Cavaliers
In the second match, between DLSWCC Wasps and HKCC Cavaliers, the Wasps took first use of the crease after winning the toss. They managed to score 4/118 from their 20 overs with Wasps’ skipper Shanzeen Shahzad hitting an unbeaten on 68 while Jaswinder Kaur also scored 21.

In reply, Natural Yip hit 57 and Mary Henderson scored 34 in an opening partnership of 92 that effectively won the game for HKCC Cavaliers. However, the HKCC team still managed to lose four wickets in knocking off the remaining runs in 15 overs.
At PKVR Reservoir: DLSWCC Wasps 4/118 from 20 overs lost to HKCC Cavaliers 4/119 from 15 overs by six wickets.

photo: Takumi Photography
source: HK Cricket Association

HK Cricket Match Reports: Sunday 28 February, 2016

Sunday Championship – 28th February 2016

DLSWCC JKN v HKCC Optimists
DLSWCC JKN scored a bonus point victory over HKCC Optimists in their Sunday Championship match played at Hong Kong Cricket Club.

Optimists elected to bat first after winning the toss and they were well placed at 1/79 when George Clarke was dismissed for 42. Miles Richardson scored 34 but the rest of the top order failed as Optimists slipped to 6/95 and then 8/117. Some dogged resistance from the tail-enders, nurtured along by their skipper David Jacquier who finished on 51 not out, got Optimists to 171 all out in the 50^th over. Ehsan Khan was the pick of the bowlers for DLSWCC JKN with figures of 3/18 from his ten over spell.

Ehsan Khan then hit an unbeaten 50 as DLSWCC JKN knocked off the runs in just 29.2 overs. Waqas Khan scored 30 while Babar Hayat and Moner Ahmed also made valuable contributions. Miles Richardson’s 4/67 went in vain for HKCC Optimists.
At HKCC: HKCC Optimists 171 from 49.2 overs lost to DLSWCC JKN 5/175 from 29.2 overs by five wickets.

KCC Templars v HKCA Dragons
KCC Templars also picked up a bonus point following their demolition of HKCA Dragons at Kowloon Cricket Club.

The HKCA Dragons opted to bowl first after winning the toss and they were rewarded with the early wicket of Ninad Shah. Thereafter, the Templars’ batsmen dominated with Roy Lamsam (42) and Dylan Dearing (151) sharing a second wicket partnership of 123. Dearing was the third wicket to fall at 240 before Templars’ middle order added another 90 runs in double-quick time to see them through to a score of 330.

The Dragons’ top-order struggled against the pace of Aditya Kanthan and they were quickly reduced to 4/17. James Chan (28) and Damien Yee (25) resisted briefly before Dan Pascoe wrapped things up for Templars. Kanthan claimed 3/11 from five overs while Pascoe picked up 3/20 from seven as Dragons were all out for 95.
At KCC: KCC Templars 6/330 from 50 overs beat HKCA Dragons 95 from 34.1 overs by 235 runs.

KCC Infidels v USRC/MCC
At Mission Road, KCC Infidels scored a bonus point in beating USRC/MCC by seven wickets.

USRC/MCC won the toss and elected to bat first but their top order failed to string any significant partnerships together as they slipped to 5/91 with Gurjant Singh grabbing 3/25 for Infidels. An 84-run sixth wicket partnership between Balal Muhammad (47) and Awais Mohammad (57*) got the total to 175 but three wickets by Najeeb Amar (3/25) stymied any late surge by the USRC/MCC batsmen and their innings finished on 8/204.

Najeeb was quickly in the action again as he hit 96 runs in a third wicket partnership with Muhammad Khan worth 125 runs. Khan finished unbeaten on 76 as Infidels ran out winners by seven wickets with twenty overs to spare.
At Mission Road: USRC/MCC 8/204 from 48 overs lost to KCC infidels 3/205 from 30 overs by seven wickets.

source: HK Cricket Association

HK Cricket Match Reports: Saturday 27 February, 2016

Saturday Championship – 27th February 2016

Saturday Championship Division 1

HKCC Witherers v Pakistan Association
HKCC Witherers got their bid for the 2015-16 championship title off to a great start by beating Pakistan Association at Hong Kong Cricket Club. A single point now separates the top four teams in Division 1.

In the game itself, Pakistan Association elected to bat first after winning the toss and their openers put on 44 runs for the first wicket. A further 55 runs were added for the second wicket with Daniyal Bukhari scoring 47. However, Bukhari’s wicket triggered a collapse that saw the visitors slip from 1/99 to 7/107 and they were eventually all out for 134. Ahan Manglik did much of the damage for Witherers by claiming 4/22 from his seven overs while Toby Raper grabbed 3/37.

In reply, Charlie Bright hit 56 at the top of the order and skipper Liam Ginnivan chipped in with 36 as Witherers eased to victory by six wickets in the 31st over.
At HKCC: Pakistan Association 134 from 29 overs lost to HKCC Witherers 4/137 from 30.5 overs by six wickets.

KCC Tartars v DLSWCC Sarjan
In a tight finish at Kowloon Cricket Club, KCC Tartars gave themselves some breathing space above the relegation zone by beating DLSWCC Sarjan by 13 runs.

Tartars batted first after winning the toss and they have Ateeq ul Rehman to thank for them recovering from a precarious 6/70 to reach 8/163 after 35 overs. Rehman top scored with 44 not out.

Rehman then completed a great double by claiming 5/28 as DLSWCC Sarjan’s reply was restricted to 9/150. Top scorer for the visitors was their captain Harpreet Singh with 50.
At KCC: KCC Tartars 8/163 from 35 overs beat DLSWCC Sarjan 9/150 from 35 overs by 13 runs.

Saturday Championship Division 2

USRC/MCC v Kai Tak CC
At Mission Road, USRC/MCC stayed within reach of division leaders Taipans with a four-wicket victory over Kai Tak CC.

Kai Tak got off to a great start with their openers putting on 67 runs for the first wicket. Haroon Arshad (44) and Tom Downey (38) scored the bulk of the runs as Kai Tak reached 161 all out in 34.2 overs. Iftikhar Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers for USRC/MCC with 4/36 from 6.2 overs.

USRC/MCC lost early wickets but recovered from 3/17 to chase down the total in less than 30 overs. Sikander Zafar top scored for USRC/MCC with 41 while Umar Mohammad hit 39 and Sher Ya Saeed scored 33.
At Mission Road: Kai Tak 161 from 34.2 overs lost to USRC/MCC 6/165 from 29.4 overs by four wickets.

source: HK Cricket Association