Captain Babar Hayat anchored Hong Kong to victory by 106 runs in the first One Day International against Papua New Guinea at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.
Hayat top scored with 77 in a Hong Kong innings that rebounded from 111-6 to reach 269 all out. On a turning track, that total proved enough as Papua New Guinea were dismissed for 163 after having been well in the match at 100-2 after 17 overs.
It was the introduction of spin that changed the course of both innings, Hong Kong fell from 105-2 to 111-6 after Mahuru Dai dislodged Nizakat Khan for 45.
But Hayat survived the carnage to make 77 off 95 balls, which in the end was hampered by a groin injury that could be put the skipper in doubt for the remainder of the series.
In the PNG innings it was Anshuman Rath who turned the tide for Hong Kong as the left arm tweaker picked up 3-22 from 10 overs. Hong Kong’s two other spinners Nadeem Ahmed (3-37) and Ehsan Khan (2-37) were also among the wickets.
“It was a great moment for me as first game as captain to get the win and to play well,” captain Babar Hayat said. “There was a lot of turn out there and our spinners bowled really well. I’m not sure about the groin, I will see the physio tomorrow and decide whether I can play in the next match.”
Hong Kong coach Simon Cook was particularly pleased “I was really happy with how we stuck in there after we lost wickets, the guys in the lower order made some important contributions that helped us get to a decent target.”
“The wicket definitely deteriorated in the afternoon, which probably made our target a more difficult proposition for them. I’m looking for us to improve our rotation of the strike in the next game, which will hopefully equal a few more runs from the top order.”
One Day International Series: Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea
Date: 4, 6, 8 November, 2016
Venue: Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground
Tickets: $500, $30 from Ticketflap
Additional reporting and image: HKcricket
